Driving in Inclement Weather
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Transcript Driving in Inclement Weather
Office of Risk Management
Driving in Inclement
Weather
Inclement Weather includes:
Ice
Snow
Rain
Fog
Wind
Any other natural hazard or factor
This training will focus on ice and snow but
will touch on the other issues listed above.
Ice & Snow
Rule #1 – If you do not have to drive in the
snow and ice, then don’t.
Evaluate the situation and decide if you
need to drive.
Many functions of the University shut
down during inclement weather and the
work may be able to wait.
Ice & Snow
Rule #2 – Evaluate the weather
conditions.
Often conditions will improve in the
afternoon if you can wait.
Check the weather to see if the snow will
continue or let up.
Rule #3 – Evaluate your vehicle’s
capability.
A two (rear wheel) wheel drive vehicle like
a small pickup or van will not do well in
snow and ice.
Four wheel drives can drive through snow
easier but are still limited when it come to
accelerating or stopping on ice.
Front wheel drive sedans perform ok in the
snow.
Automatic transmissions are less
responsive than manual transmissions
because the driver has less control over
the flow of power to the wheels.
With a manual transmission you can push
in the clutch and cut the power to the
wheels. You can also accelerate slower
giving the tires more chance to grip.
Unfortunately many people do not know
how to drive manual transmissions
anymore.
Inspect your vehicle to make sure that it is
fit for winter weather driving.
Check the tire pressure and tread.
Fill the gas tank.
Check the windshield washer fluid.
Fish Tailing
Too much power to a rear wheel drive
vehicle will lead to “fish tailing” on a wet or
icy road. Fish Tailing occurs when the rear
of the vehicle swings from side to side with
little or no control.
Over correction by the driver leads to the
sometimes violent swinging from side to
side.
Fish Tailing
If your vehicle starts to fish tail, let off the
gas and use small corrections to the wheel
to get your vehicle pointed forward.
Spinning Out
When someone “spins out” the rear of the
comes around can cause the vehicle to
spin halfway around or in complete circles
under certain circumstances.
Driving to fast or braking too hard on
curves often causes someone to spin out.
Accelerating
Accelerating on ice and snow can be
difficult especially if you are sitting on an
incline.
Accelerate slowly giving the tires a chance
to grab traction.
Keep you wheels pointed forward until you
start to move before attempting to turn.
Turning your wheels before you are
moving will cause your wheels to spin.
Rule #4 – Consider your route of travel.
Sometimes a certain road will take you
straight up a steep hill when a better option
may be to take a longer way around using a
less steep route.
Avoid stopping on a hill in the snow. If you
see vehicles stopped ahead of you, slow
down and give them time to clear before you
get to an intersection.
Intersections
Make sure other vehicles can come to a
complete stop before you enter the
intersection, even if you have the right of
way.
Black Ice
“Black Ice” is the layman’s term for clear
ice on black asphalt that is almost
impossible to see from a moving vehicle.
Black ice is common in this area because
day time temperatures will rise above 32
degrees F causing
Pedestrians in the Streets
Often excessive snows will force
pedestrians to walk in the streets.
Sidewalks can be covered with plowed
snow.
Getting Stuck & Then Unstuck
If you become stuck, make sure there are
no vehicles coming before you try to exit
your vehicle.
Turn on your 4 way flashers before you exit.
If you are calling someone to come pull
you out, stand clear of the vehicle and
other traffic.
Getting Stuck & Then Unstuck
If you are going to dig yourself out:
Try to identify which tire(s) do not have
traction.
Dig under and around the tire. Look up often
to see if there are any vehicles coming.
If you have any sand or salt, put it under the
tire for traction.
You may have to repeat this process several
times to free yourself.
Following & Stopping Distances
Give yourself more following space.
If you are approaching a stop sign or light
going down hill, apply your brakes well in
advance of the intersection to make sure
that you can stop before the sign/light.
Use an alternative route that avoids steep hills
if possible.
Heavy Snow
Heavy snows and ice can bring down
power lines, tree limbs, entire trees and
even buildings.
Be aware of these obstacles especially if
you get off the main roads onto access
drives and sidewalks.
Emergency Kits
Emergency kits are important for long trips
or in remote areas but no but not as
important for driving on campus.
On campus you are generally within easy
walking distance of a building even during
the most severe weather.
Emergency Kits
What you should have:
Fully charged cell phone or radio.
An extra set of dry cloths including gloves,
socks and shoes/boots.
Water bottle
Snacks (stores maybe closed)
Shovel (to dig yourself out)
Fog
Dense fog can severely limit your ability to
see when driving.
Use your fog lights if your vehicle is
equipped with them.
DO NOT use your brights as it will limit
your visibility and the visibility of those
driving toward you.
Fog
Never attempt to do a U-Turn in the fog.
Instead, make a turn into a parking lot,
preferably at a stop light and turn around.
High Water
Do not attempt to cross running water that
is more than a couple inches deep.
Do not drive through water if you are
unsure of the depth or cannot see the
road.
Do not cross bridges that have water
flowing over them.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning occurs when tires are not in
contact with the road surface. A layer of
water is between the tire and the road
surface.
Slowing down will generally eliminate
hydroplaning.
Wind
High winds can turn over a vehicle or force
you out of your travel lane.
High winds affect vehicles such as box
trucks, work vans or other high sided
vehicles more that your normal car and
pickup.
Slow down when driving a high profile
vehicle.
THE END