HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-12-06, Page 17r
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December 6, 1995
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Prepare for winter driving
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Memories of earlier this year when snow caused road closures in the Exeter area.
Heather Mir T A staff
EXETER - With recent cutbacks to winter
road maintenance budgets, driving in South
• Huron's snowbelt inay be a bit more nerve-
wracking this year than in the past.
Constable John Marshall, community services
officer for Huron, told winter driving session
participants he's already experienced poor road
conditions in the north end of the county.
"These are things we are starting to get used to,"
said Marshall.
Although only half a dozen people attended the
session, held at the South Huron Hospital boardroom
last Tuesday night, the information presented applies
to all winter drivers.
Several people said their biggest concern is
driving during whiteout conditions. Marshall said he
notices drivers tend to come out of a whiteout
section closer to the left side of the road. Although
there is no solution to this problem, he advised
drivers to slow down and make sure rear brake lights
are free of snow.
Preparing for winter driving is as important as
knowing how to handle cold weather conditions.
These are preparation tips from the OPP:
•Using a lightweight multigrade oil in the cold
weather will make it easier for the engine to turn
over.
•Have an engine tune-up and a brake check
•Check coolant, antifreeze and windshield washer
fluid levels
•Make sure your vehicle is equipped with a
scraper, brush, shovel, booster cables, sand, salt or
kitty litter (for traction), first aid/emergency kit and
flashlight
If you are traveling in isolated areas, make sure
you have blankets or sleeping bags for warmth and a
supply of non-perishable foods such as chocolate
bars, instant soup, tea or coffee. A tin can and
matches or a lighter and candles can be used to melt
snow but never use unmelted snow as a substitute for
drinking water.
After preparing for winter driving it important to
have skills for dealing with situations such as
stopping on slippery roads, skidding, driving in slush
and getting stuck.
Shifting into neutral or de -clutching on a slippery
surface will prevent the drive wheels from working
against the brakes by take the driving force off. Don't
pump your brakes, it is not an effective way to stop
and can throw the car into a skid. Instead, once you
have de -clutched or shifted to neutral, apply them
gradually and gently, pressing the brakes just short of
a lock-up. If the wheels lock, ease up on the brake
pedal and reapply.
A skid, usually caused by the driver's failure to
react in good time and by driving too fast for road
conditions, is a loss of tire traction. In a rear -wheel
skid, occurring most often with front wheel drive
vehicles, can be corrected by shifting into neutral or
de -clutch and releasing the brakes. Then steer in the
direction of the skid.
A fishtail skid may result from overcorrecting the
steering. To stop this pendulum action, shift into
neutral or de -clutch and steer in the direction you
want to go. When a skid goes too far the vehicle will
start to spin. To stop spinning hit the brake pedal
hard, locking all four wheels. The vehicle may
continue to spin but it will travel in a straight path.
If you are forced to drive in thick slush, Marshall
recommends making sure both front tires enter the
slushy area at the same time. Having one tire on the
pavement and one in the slush may cause a loss of
control.
According to an OPP news release from Goderich,
inconsistent wether patterns pose a hazard to Huron
County drivers in winter.
"Sun, fog, snow, rain, slush, freezing rain,
blowing snow - no matter what time of day, a driver
rhould always take the elements into consideration,
drive accordingly by watching their speed and
increase the stopping distance to prevent highway
collisions."
OPP consider "speed too fast" the major
contributor to motor vehicle collisions in winter. A
speed limit of 80 km per hour is for a road with
normal weather and road conditions. Snow, ice and
slush change the conditions and driving habits must
change accordingly.
Marshall recommends keeping headlights on
during the day. This will not help you see but it will
help you to be seen, especially in whiteouts and fog.
Headlights must be on during rain and snow storms,
as well as blowing snow, whiteouts, fog. Headlights
are also required to be on from one half hour before
sunset until one half hour after sunrise.
Listen to local radio stations for weather
conditions and road closures. For road report
i n fo rm+1 -800- 2 65 - 5 407 .
EXTRA TIPS
* The sun is so low during
January and February that is
can be glaring. Put your
headlights on and be seen.
* If you park your vehicle outside
overnight, fasten a sheet of
plastic or an old blanket on the
outside of the windshield. This
will protect the windshield from
ice and snow, and save you -
some work before starting off.
* Driving through deep slush or
puddles can get water in the
brakes and reduce the braking
action. Pump your brakes
gently while moving to create
heat which will eventually dry
them out and let them return to
normal.
* If you're taking a long or remote
trip, make sure someone knows
where you're going, your route
and when you expect to get
there. Always allow more time
than normal.
* Be on the alert for snow plows
and other road maintenance
vehicles. They are equipped
with a flashing blue light. This
warns you of a wide and
slowly -moving vehicle.: On
freeways, they may travel in
tandem. Do not try to pass
between them. There isn't
enough room to do so safely
and the ridge of wet snow can
throw your vehicle out of
control.
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ANTA SAYS...
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locally
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yotp may be a bit too busy to think
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tvhen you shop locally.
--
4
BONUS #1
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... AN OPPORTUNITY
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