The recent chill in the air might have you reaching for your favorite sweater or flannel PJs, but perhaps you should be thinking about the upcoming winter and the dangers that come along with it.
“The leading cause of death during winter storms is transportation accidents,” according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Therefore, knowing how to manage your vehicle in the winter season is vitally important to your safety.
The Christmas season with its chill and frost can be particularly treacherous on the winding roads of Cabrini’s scenic campus.
Here are some tips for safer winter driving:
According to several car safety websites, if there are any little problems with your car in good weather those problems will only get worse in bad weather.
So if your car is in need of a tune-up or due for regular service, get it done as soon as possible. In addition, car batteries lose power as the temperature drops.
Lt. Diana Pohl of Public Safety suggests,”If your batteries are old get them checked or replaced because it is during the winter that most people need jump starts.”
It is also important to have some basic supplies in your car if a snowstorm is expected, such as a snow brush and ice scraper.
It would also be beneficial to have snow shovel, since according to Pohl, Public Safety does not shovel people out.
Having your driving skills up to par is very important in the snow and ice.
Allow yourself extra time to get places in hazardous weather.
Reducing your speed and leaving enough distance between you and other cars are key when driving on slippery roads.
Any rapid movements could cause you to skid and unless you want to feel like you are being pulled by unnatural forces you do not want that to happen.
If unfortunately you find yourself skidding, “DO NOT BREAK.
Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and gently turn your car in the direction you want your front wheels to go.
Hitting the brakes or turning sharply will only lock you into a skid,” according to the Oklahoma University winter safety web page.
Some other simple points to keep in mind: make sure windshield wipers are in good shape, have windshield washer reservoir full at all times and maintain at least half a tank of gas during the winter months.
Schaffner, the director of Public Safety, had some helpful advice also. If you are driving on a snow emergency route without snow tires, your car can be towed. Schaffner’s advice to residents, “If it is icy don’t drive. Walk as much as possible.” To ensure their safety and parking spots for commuters during winter storms, Schaffner suggests that residents, “Dress warmly and walk to classes.”
To find out if classes are cancelled due to a winter storm listen to KYW 1060, or watch Fox’s Morning News 6-7 and “Good Day Philadelphia” from 7-9. Cabrini’s school codes are as follows: 523 for day classes and 2523 for night classes. To obtain this and other important information refer to page 152 of your student handbook. inforrmation gathered from: http://cartalk.cars.com, www.fema.gov and www.pp.okstate.edu.
