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North Country senator urging caution, preparation for winter driving

Posted 11/23/16

On the heels of the season’s first major snowstorm, Sen. Patty Ritchie is reminding the public to use caution when driving and prepare for emergencies that can occur in bad weather. Ritchie says …

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North Country senator urging caution, preparation for winter driving

Posted

On the heels of the season’s first major snowstorm, Sen. Patty Ritchie is reminding the public to use caution when driving and prepare for emergencies that can occur in bad weather.

Ritchie says residents can make the road safer by ensuring snow is removed from the vehicle before driving, making sure tires are adequately inflated and taking extra time when comminuting.

A list of specific tips follows:

• Be prepared: Make sure you have a survival kit in your vehicle—it should include things like an ice scraper, snow brush, small shovel, salt or sand, a flashlight, extra gloves and other warm weather gear, a blanket, water and a non-perishable snack. Also, don’t forget to always have your cell phone fully charged, so you can call for help in the event of an emergency. My winter survival kit always gives me peace of mind when traveling in poor weather conditions and one of the items I highly recommend is a solar lantern. Powered by the sun, this light is great if you find yourself stranded for a long period of time and your batteries die.

• Warm up before heading out: Before setting out, make sure you warm your vehicle up and clear away snow and or ice from your windows, mirrors, lights and body of your vehicle. Snow on a vehicle can have the potential to block your view, or blow into the sightline of other motorists, putting them in an unsafe situation.

• Don’t rush: It’s always a good idea to leave a little extra time to reach your destination in winter to avoid rushing—and avoid accidents.

• Slow down: It goes without saying that you should always go slower in snowy or icy conditions. Also, be sure to leave more distance between yourself and other vehicles—which will give you more time to react if you hit a tricky spot on the roadway.

• Respect plow truck operators: If you are behind a plow truck, make sure you follow at a safe distance behind them, or wait until the plow pulls off the road to pass. In addition, be sure to look out for those removing snow using shovels or snowblowers, who might be near the road as they clear their driveways and sidewalks.

• Take notice of your tires: One of the most important parts of preparing for winter driving is making sure your tires are in good condition. Bald tires will cause your vehicle to slide, and make it harder to negotiate turns.