Noxon school gives winter road safety advice

NOXON – With more severe winter weather spreading through the area, road safety has become more concerning; to help with this, the Noxon schools distributed safety tips for going out on the road.

The tips, provided by AAA, include tips for general travel as well as for when traveling long distances.

Some of the tips are common sense precautions, such as not driving when tired, keeping tires properly inflated, not using cruise control on slick roads and always remembering to wear seatbelts.

When traveling long distances, they recommend monitoring weather conditions along the route, especially when going around remote or isolated area; getting stranded with no way to call for help is problematic. Drivers are also encouraged to make sure the vehicle is in peak operating condition before the trip.

When stranded in snow, the school’s post suggests tying a brightly colored cloth or other object to the antennae or window to help make it easier to see if the vehicle is covered in snow. This also acts as a signal of duress and is a better, more energy efficient, means of signaling for help than using electricity by running the lights.

It is also recommended drivers make sure the exhaust pipe is clear to avoid a buildup of carbon monoxide leaking into the passenger compartment. Related to this, drivers should only run the engine for short periods of time when using the heater; this will also help conserve gas.

When driving regularly in snow, they recommend using general caution, going slow and not taking unnecessary risks at intersections.

“Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads,” states the school’s release. “Nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.”

Related to this, it is recommended drivers get familiar with the feel of their brakes. This allows them to recognize when there are issues with the tires getting traction on the road or if the car starts slipping. To help with this, drivers should also avoid powering up hills or stopping when not required; this way, cars do not use excess energy or risk slipping on ice or slush.

Driving in snowy conditions can be dangerous; one of the best ways to be safe is to just stay home. However, if going out is needed, some common sense precautions will save lots of time, energy and trouble.