Crime & Safety
Don't Be THAT Guy: The Driver With the Snowdrift Flat Top
Show good snow-driving etiquette.
We've all been there: The cars with the piles of snow on top that fly off and land on your windshield, blocking your vision in an already challenging driving environment.
If you have to venture out on the roads in the Maryland snow, don't forget to clear your car's windows and rooftops before driving,ย AAA Mid-Atlantic advises.
While Maryland has no specific vehicle snow removal law, "for your safety and the safety of other motorists, it is imperative for drivers to first remove snow and ice from the roofs, windshield, trunks, and hoods of their vehicles before hitting the roads,โ advised Ragina C. Averella,ย public and government affairs manager at AAA Mid-Atlantic.โUnfortunately, many drivers fail to realize that the accumulated snow on their vehicle can fly off while theyโre driving, posing a serious hazard to others on the road," Averella added in a statement Tuesday.ย Once it is dislodged, it can also fall onto the windshield, obscuring the driverโs vision and putting their lives and their passengers at risk.โย
AAA Mid-Atlantic offers the following additional tips for a safe journeyย โย How to Go on Ice and Snow:
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- Buckle Upย -ย Use seat belts every time you are behind the wheel.
- Slow downย - Drivers are more likely to lose control of the vehicle when roads are wet or icy.
- Front Wheel Skidsย -ย Regardless of whether the vehicle has front-, rear- or four-wheel drive, the best ways to regain control if theย front wheels skidย are:
- Continue to look where you want to go.
- Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go.
- Avoid slamming on the brakes. Although hitting the brakes is a typical response, slamming the brakes will only further upset the vehicleโs balance and make it harder to regain control.
- Wait for the front wheels to grip the road again. As soon as traction returns, the vehicle will start to steer again.
- When the front wheels have regained their grip, steer the wheels gently in the desired direction of travel.
- Do Not Use Cruise Control and Avoid Tailgatingย - Normal following distances of three to four seconds for dry pavement should be increased to eight to 10 seconds when driving on icy, slippery surfaces.
- If you become strandedย -ย Make sure the tailpipe is free of snowย to prevent carbon monoxide from building up in the vehicle. If you are sure the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount of gas in the tank.
- Emergency Road Kitย โ Should contain an ice scraper and snow brush; sand, cat litter, or traction mats; small shovel; gloves, hats and blankets; flashlight with fresh batteries; shop rags or paper towels; jumper cables; warning flares or triangles; drinking water; non-perishable energy/granola bars; first-aid kit; mobile phone and car charger with important numbers pre-programmed, including a roadside assistance provider.ย
- Want more bad-weather driving tips? Check out theย AAA video:ย ย How to Drive in the Snow.
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