Driving tips that could save lives
As we think about our university and college students finishing finals and heading home for the holidays or we are headed to visit loved ones, we have to consider the winter storm watch that the National Weather Service in Spokane recently issued. Winter storms can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow that lasts for several days. The American Red Cross and the Kootenai Office of Emergency Management offer a number of tips.
The first thing you can do is understand the weather warnings.
1. Know the Difference
Winter Storm Outlook — Winter storm conditions are possible in the next 2 to 5 days.
Winter Weather Advisory — Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situations should not be life threatening.
Winter Storm Watch — Winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions. This is what was recently issued. So it is pretty serious the next few days.
Winter Storm Warning — Life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. People in a warning area should take precautions immediately.
2. Be Informed
The second line of protection is to KEEP POSTED ON WEATHER CONDITIONS in the surrounding area through television, radio, newspaper and I might add smartphone apps. A few hours of warning of a storm can be the key to avoiding being caught in it, or at least to be better prepared to cope with it.
3. Think Safety First
Most of us want to get home to loved ones as quickly as possible, but the American Red Cross urges students in particular to exercise caution while traveling in holiday traffic. With winter approaching, it is important to put safety first and check the weather along the route and plan travel around any impending storms.
“Every student should make it home safely this holiday season,” said Russ Paulsen, executive director, Community Preparedness and Resilience Services for the Red Cross. “Winter weather and sleep deprivation can make that harder, so students should be sure they don’t drive when they’re overtired. After weeks of studying, students are sleep deprived and may have trouble focusing.”
The Red Cross recommends all drivers should be well rested, alert, and able to give their full attention to the road. If necessary, consider staying at school or home an extra night to catch up on sleep before beginning your Christmas trip. To help improve alertness, make frequent stops and rotate drivers for longer trips.
4. Other Driving Tips
Other driving tips:
n Make sure your car is in good condition, properly serviced, and equipped with chains or snow tires.
n Take another person with you if possible.
n Don’t let the vehicle’s gas tank get too low. If there is car trouble, pull as far as possible off the highway and get out of the car on the side away from traffic.
n Have emergency “winter storm supplies” in the car, such as a container of sand, shovel, windshield scraper, tow chain or rope, flashlight, and blankets or sleeping bags. It also is good to have with you heavy gloves or mittens, overshoes, extra woolen socks, and winter headgear to cover your head and face.
n Inform loved ones of planned travel routes and expected arrival times.
n Travel by daylight and use major highways if you can. Keep the car radio turned on for weather information and advice.
n Drive with all possible caution. Don’t try to save time by traveling faster than road and weather conditions permit.
n Don’t be daring or foolhardy. Stop, turn back, or seek help if conditions threaten that may test your ability or endurance, rather than risk being stalled, lost, or isolated. If you are caught in a blizzard, seek refuge immediately.
5. Download the Red Cross Emergency App
The Red Cross Emergency app can help you be safe by providing vital information easily at hand. The app has more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts to help plan a safe route home. I personally carry 10 Emergency Prep apps, that I’ll review in later articles. But if I could only have one, it would be the Red Cross Emergency App. You can find it in smartphone app stores by searching for Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.
Emergency is the one-download resource that puts vital information at your fingertips. This “all-inclusive” app combines more than 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts from natural to man-made, giving you real-time information to help keep you and your loved ones safe.
The Red Cross Emergency app is highly customizable and informative. Choose the alerts that are important to your location. Monitor activity across the country to know when incidents are about to occur in the locations of your family and friends. Activate “Family Safe” to notify loved ones that an alert has been issued in their area and check to see if they are safe. Access vital information on what to do before, during and after an emergency strikes. Whether it’s a hurricane or earthquake, heat wave, blizzard or more, Emergency keeps you in the know and prepared to respond.
AAA projects more than 100 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holiday season. This upward trend marks the fifth consecutive year of increases and the highest travel volume recorded for the season. The year-end holiday period is defined as Saturday, Dec. 21 to Wednesday, Jan. 1.
Unfortunately, during this period nearly 28,000 Americans will be seriously injured and more than 250 will die. We hope this helps you get to and from your destination safely and enjoy the holidays.
Richard Dance is a special correspondent to The Press who will write monthly articles on various aspects of emergency preparation over the next year. They will cover general preparation tips along with specific emergency plans.