Okay, in sunny SoCal we don't exactly have "winter driving." But, that doesn't mean we don't need to be prepared... particularly for a snowboarding trip…{"id":7976,"date":"2015-11-09T11:50:47","date_gmt":"2015-11-09T19:50:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/?p=7976"},"modified":"2015-11-09T11:50:47","modified_gmt":"2015-11-09T19:50:47","slug":"safety-tips-for-winter-road-trips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/09\/safety-tips-for-winter-road-trips\/","title":{"rendered":"Safety Tips for Winter Road Trips"},"content":{"rendered":"

Okay, in sunny SoCal we don’t exactly have “winter driving.” But, that doesn’t mean we don’t need to be prepared… particularly for a snowboarding trip to Mammoth, or even to Flagstaff for Thanksgiving. Preparedness is essential when it comes to any road trip, and especially for long distance winter road trips. With an increased risk of driving hazards from winter weather, it’s a good idea to think about ways to ensure that you and your loved ones are travelling safely. Here are a few safety tips for your next winter road trip:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Invest in an emergency kit:<\/strong>\u00a0 This is really a no-brainer. Available from most major retailers,<\/span> emergency kits<\/a><\/strong> are relatively inexpensive and contain items like flares, jumper cables, flashlights, and first aid supplies. We recommend supplementing the kit with some water bottles, an emergency food stash, an ice scraper, and some kitty litter (to use for traction behind your tires if you get stuck).<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Have a contingency plan:<\/strong> \u00a0Plan ahead for dealing with potential hazards – a flat tire, an accident, a dead battery, or even travel delays because of bad weather. Keep a hard copy list of emergency contacts, people and businesses (such as your insurance company or<\/span> AAA<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>for roadside assistance), in your glove box.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Stay in touch:<\/strong> \u00a0Heading home for the holidays? Check in with your family throughout your journey so that they know your approximate location and estimated arrival time. This will help if any unexpected situations come up. And, remember, you should always pull off the road before using your cell phone.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Keep warm\u00a0clothes and blankets in your car:<\/strong> \u00a0Be prepared to stay warm if you get stuck for an extended period by keeping a blanket or two in your car. Pack a travel case with boots, gloves, a scarf, hat, and a sweater in case you need to leave your car (if you’re snow bound, we advise staying with your vehicle so that you’re easier to find by rescuers, but that may not always be the best solution). Forgot your blankets at home?\u00a0Use whatever you can find to insulate your body from the cold – floor mats, newspaper, road maps. Get resourceful!<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Check the weather before heading out:<\/strong> \u00a0Winter weather can change in minutes, and forecasts aren’t always accurate. Still, you’ll want to have a good idea of what you’re driving into. Know your route, and if the weather is particularly bad, delay your trip. You don’t want to make unexpected detours in bad weather. Expect the best, but prepare for the worst!<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Don’t use cruise control:<\/strong> \u00a0Unless you’re cruisin’ for a bruisin’, don’t use your car’s cruise control whenever you’re driving on slick, slippery roads (i.e. wet, icy, conditions). I don’t care how straight the road is, or how little traffic is around you, the convenience of cruise control just isn’t worth risking an accident.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. \u00a0Be cool, bro:<\/strong> \u00a0The weather is cool, and you should be too. Don’t rush. Don’t drive fast. Slow, gradual acceleration and deceleration will get your tires the best traction to keep you from spinning off the road. Don’t power up hills… try to get some momentum built up before you reach the hill, and let that carry you to the top.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Stay home:<\/strong> \u00a0Worst case scenario, stay home! There will be times when, even if you don’t want to, it’s better just to stay home!<\/span><\/p>\n

Photo Credit:<\/span>\u00a0Snowy Road<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0by<\/span> Ben W<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>(<\/span>CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/strong>).<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

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