The Citizen, 2008-10-23, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2008. PAGE 19.
(MS) -- The cold weather means a
few different things for people, like
shoveling snow, kids’sled races, and
treacherous driving conditions.
Snow, sleet and ice can make for
difficult driving, even for
experienced people behind the
wheel. For example, from 2004-06,
the Ohio State Highway Patrol
recorded 105 fatalities on snowy or
icy Ohio roads and there were nearly
15,000 injury accidents.
As drivers prepare to once again
enter the season of tricky road
conditions, it may pay for them, no
matter what their age, to undergo a
refresher course in safe winter
driving techniques.
* Before you leave the building,
check the latest weather report. It
will help you anticipate any
approaching storms and plan
accordingly. Keep the radio tuned to
a traffic and weather station to keep
abreast of any changing situations,
accidents or weather warnings.
* Prepare your vehicle by stocking
it with winter survival necessities.
Winter weather can often mean
breakdowns. Getting caught on the
side of the road for a few hours can
be treacherous in sub-zero weather.
Make sure that you have certain
supplies in your trunk for such
emergencies. Stock up on road
flares, a warm blanket, a battery-
powered radio, a flashlight, bottled
water, extra windshield washer fluid,
sand or cat litter (this can be used to
provide traction if your wheels are
slipping trying to get in and out of a
parking spot or ditch), a first aid kit,
and a cell phone.
* Try to keep a full tank of gas
during cold weather so that the fuel
lines won’t freeze.
* Winter driving requires different
tactics. One of the best tips is to slow
down. Also leave much more space
between your vehicle and others on
the road; winter road conditions
often require longer stopping times.
Start braking very early on as you
approach any intersections to
compensate for skidding.
Avoid abrupt actions while
operating the vehicle. Sudden
stopping, steering or accelerating
can cause you to lose control of the
car.
* Many people purchase SUVs
because they think that four-wheel-
drive vehicles will enable them to
drive in snowy conditions without
making any changes to their driving
behavior. This is not the case.
It’s important to note that SUVs
do not provide invincibility in winter
conditions. They may offer a bit
more traction on snowy roads, but
all bets are off for any vehicle when
there is ice underfoot.
Every driver should be cautious
and slow down.
* Impaired visibility from slush
and salt being kicked up on the
windshield can make driving
dangerous. Keep windshield washer
reservoirs topped off.
Also, it may pay to purchase
windshield wipers that are gearedtoward the winter and can clearsnow and ice more easily.
* Pay attention and don’t take your
eyes off of the road. Look further
ahead in traffic so that you’ll be able
to determine conditions and
anticipate what moves you’ll have to
make based on the behaviours of
drivers up ahead. Staying alive in a
winter accident could require split-
second decisions.
* Remember that trucks are
heavier than cars and will require
even more time for stopping. Don’t
cut off a truck -- or any vehicle -- in
snowy conditions.
* Use your brakes correctly. If you
have anti-lock brakes, you should
simply apply slow, steady pressure.
Pumping the brakes is only for older
vehicles without ABS systems.
Use caution and common sense on snowy roads
Take care
Snowy road conditions can make for treacherous driving
conditions. Use caution and common sense when
travelling roads this winter. (MS photo)
FFaallll oonn tthhee RRooaadd
Highway 86 East, Wingham 519-357-3460 www.lesliemotors.com
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2000 Ford F150 -white, 4.6L, auto, A/C, ext. cab, short box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,995.
1998 Ford F150 -maroon/silver, 5.0L, auto, O/D, A/C, 180,000 kms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,995.
1995 Ford F150 -white, 4.9L, 6 cyl., auto, 103,000. kms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,995.
1998 GMC Sierra -red, V8, auto, 289,752 kms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,495.
1999 Dodge Ram 1500 -4x4, 318 V8, auto, air, cruise, tilt, reg. cab, long box,
white/grey, 210,000 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,495.
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 -Reg. cab, long box, V8, auto, air, cruise, tilt . . . . . . . . . $3,995.
1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport -4.0L, auto, 4x4, green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,495.
1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee -4.0L, auto, loaded, 4x4, 214,000 kms. . . . . . . . . . $6,495.
1991 Jeep Cherokee Sport -4.0L, auto, white, 4x4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,495.
1998 Isuzu Rodeo -V6, 5 speed, loaded, green, 145,000 kms.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,495.
1997 Dodge Grand Caravan -blue, V8, auto, 7 passenger, 199,000 kms . . . . . $2,995.
1990 Chev Astro -V6, auto, loaded, black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,495.
1999 Ford Taurus -V6, auto, loaded, white, 205,000 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,495.
1998 Pontiac Grand AM -V6, auto, loaded, green, 180,000 kms . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,695.
1996 Pontiac Grand AM -V6, auto, loaded, white, 180,000 kms. . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,395.
1984 Rampage -neon green. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000.
1997 Chrysler Intrepid -maroon, V6, loaded, 180,000 kms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,495.
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