Photo // Cienna King
SLIPPIN N SLIDIN. Despite inclement conditions, many students have no choice but to commute to campus by car.
By: Cienna King
Photographer & Staff-Writer
It’s that time of the year again folks. You wake up in the morning, get ready to go to class, then you step outside to find a blanket of snow on your car and sheets of ice covering the roads. If you’re like me, you aren’t exactly thrilled about this. More than 150,000 automobile accidents per year are due to icy road conditions, and around 1,800 of these are fatal. It’s crucial to be prepared during this time of year, so here are some tips and tricks on how to stay safe.
First and foremost, stay warm. I know it may not be the most fashionable to be walking around looking like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, but sometimes function is more important than fashion. Wear plenty of layers, because chances are you’ll be outside for a bit shoveling and scraping your car off. It’s also a good idea to keep an extra hat, pair of gloves and a blanket in your car in case you break down.
An ice scraper is an essential item to keep handy, and it’s worth it to take the extra minute or two to remove the snow from the hood and roof of your car, as snow blowing or falling from your car can obstruct your vision and be a hazard to other drivers.
I personally keep some de-icing spray in my car, which helps melt the ice on my windshield fairly quickly. You can find it at auto stores and Walmart. You can also start your car and let it heat up for a couple of minutes before you drive, just make sure that if you’re heating up your car in your garage, the garage door is open so that you aren’t inhaling excess carbon monoxide, which is colorless and odorless.
When it comes time to start driving, there are a lot of things to take into account. Make sure that your headlights are on even during the day and clear of any snow that may have gathered on them prior to your journey. Keep your headlights on low-beam, because if you turn on your high beams, the light will reflect off of the snow, making it hard for you and oncoming traffic to see.
Always allow yourself extra time so you never have to rush. When driving in harsh conditions, it can take your car up to 10 times longer to stop than usual. Always keep plenty of space in between yourself and those around you. If you’re in so much of a rush that you have to speed and endanger yourself and those around you, then you should’ve left sooner – it’s better to arrive late than never. Also, please do not be on your phone while driving. You shouldn’t be on it period, let alone while the roads are covered in ice.
That being said, it is a good idea to have a phone in your car along with a charger in case you get into a predicament and need to call for assistance. It is also a good idea to keep jumper cables, as leaving your car sitting for a few days in extreme temperatures can drain the battery. Experts also recommend having a spare tire, first aid kit and spare food at the ready, as well as a flashlight, especially when the sun sets early and rises late. You never know when you might need them.
If there are many inches of snow on the ground or predicted, it may be a good idea to keep a small snow shovel handy in case you need to dig your car out of the snow. Some even keep cat litter available to pour under stuck tires as a way to increase traction.
Last but certainly not least, make sure your car is up to maintenance. In the cold winter air, your tire pressure will drop, so make sure they have enough air in them. Make sure your brakes are up to date and that none of your lights need replacing. It’s also a good idea to keep plenty of gas in your tank to ensure you have heat if you break down and need to wait for assistance.