Stay Safe With These Winter Driving Tips

As the region prepares for the winter ahead, Tredyffrin Township, the Traffic Safety Commission and OSHA have released some suggestions for a safe winter driving season.

Prepare:

• Be sure to maintain your car. Check your battery, windshield wipers and antifreeze.
• Keep a flashlight, jumper cables, an ice scraper, flares, blankets, energy bars, water, medication, a cell phone with car charger. Extra clothes like as gloves, sweaters and jackets are also great to store in the trunk in case of emergencies.
• Have a shovel and an abrasive material (sand, kitty litter, even floor mats), to dig out of the snow.
• If you get stuck or stalled, stay with the car, put bright markers on the antenna or windows and shine the dome light. If you run your car, clear exhaust pipe and run it just enough to stay warm. Call and wait at your vehicle for Police or responding rescue workers. If you must leave your vehicle for safety concerns etc…. always leave a note indicating: your name, home address, contact number and where you are going.
• Plan your route. Allow plenty of time, be familiar with the maps and directions, and let others know your route and arrival time.

Protect:

• Buckle up and use child safety seats properly.
• Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag. Remember that children 12 and under are much safer in the back seat.
• Focus on your driving. Cell phones, pets etc… can create distractions.

Prevent Crashes:

• Don’t drink and drive.
• Slow down and increase distances between cars. 
• Keep your eyes open for pedestrians walking in the road and avoid fatigue. 
• Get plenty of rest before a trip, and stop at least every three hours, rotating drivers if possible.

If you are involved in a crash during a snow or ice event, dial 911 immediately. Do not wait! If able, drive your vehicle from the travel portion of the roadway to a nearby safe shoulder and stay with your vehicle, inside with seat belt on.