Weather

Actions

Are you prepared for our first snow?

Posted at 7:49 AM, Dec 08, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-08 13:39:56-05

Snow is on its way and people are getting ready!

While this area is no stranger to the cold temperatures and wintry mix, after months of no snow are you prepared?

Here are some things you should remember:

  • Make sure your car is prepared for the cold. 
  • It's a good idea to keep a winter emergency kit in your car. You should have things like a first aid kit, a blanket, and maybe even a small pillow in case you are stuck in your car for a while.
  • Make sure to have food in your car. Snacks and water are a must!
  • It's also a good idea to keep tools in your car like a shovel, flashlights and jumper cables. 
  • You want to take care of any necessary repairs before the snow gets here, including making sure your tires are in good condition. That means they're properly inflated and appropriately rotated so you will have traction when you need it.
  • Lastly, keep your gas tank full.

MDOT officials said back then they were ready and prepared for this winter and now they will be put to the test. 

Driving in the snow safety tips from AAA:

  • Remove all snow from your car including your roof, hood, and trunk. While driving, snow can blow off a car onto the windshield of a nearby vehicle, temporary blinding that driver’s vision.
  • Slow down!! Adjust your speed to the road conditions and leave yourself enough room to stop. Allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
  • Do not tailgate. Normal following distances of three to four seconds on dry pavement should be a minimum of five to six seconds when driving on slippery surfaces. The extra time will provide additional braking room should a sudden stop become necessary.
  • Never use cruise control on slippery roads, as you lose the ability to transfer more weight to the front tire by simply lifting off the accelerator. A driver should always be in full control of their vehicle during poor road conditions.
  • Avoid unnecessary lane changes. This increases the chances of hitting a patch of ice between lanes that could cause loss of vehicle traction.
  • Minimize the need to brake on ice. If you’re approaching a stop sign, traffic light or other areas where ice often forms, brake early on the clear pavement to reduce speed. Car control is much more difficult when braking on ice-covered roadways.