Drivers Beware

With the pending Snowmageddon of 2010 roaring down on us,  what do you do to stay safe on the roads?

Personally,  I try an limit the fiddling with the radio etc, and utilize Vlingo on my Smartphone while in the vehicle if I do need to place any calls.  – I simply say “Call Home” and it makes the call for me.  It also has feedback if I get a call or message, so I never really need to touch a button!

Of course I do use some common sense, and if the weather sucks, I just don’t go out.

The largest issue I have is with other drivers that haven’t a clue how to drive in the white stuff.  We get to do it every year people, you don’t get selective amnesia for winter driving.

As a rule, Back up a few car lengths and give some space.  We aren’t in such a hurry we can’t take the extra few seconds to make good decisions when driving and help ensure we all get to our destination safely, and with all our parts still attached to the car.

So, I ask, what steps do you take in the winter to practice safe driving?  What do you do if you end up in the ditch?  Do you keep safety and/or warm things in case of emergency?

It’s that time of year, if we haven’t noticed, at least, those of us in the Midwest (and now other regions as well) Time to pull out that scraper and snow brush, find the mittens and settle into the drivers seat for the wonders of winter driving season.

Here in the good old Twin Cities, we’ve had a fresh dusting of snow every other day for the better part of the last week, just enough to make the commute to and from the office a living nightmare. Last night, I ventured out in the wonderful weather to Stillwater. I had gone out around home earlier in the day, and found the roads rather fun.. I use the word ‘fun’ because I would be one of those SUV driving fools who thinks it’s fun to slide around corners, and use the back end of the Home Depot parking lot for drifting practice.

I did my local errands, auto store, Target, Cub, liquor store too of course, and noted that people were certainly out and getting around, plows were out, and driveways were being shoveled. By the time I packed up to head to Stillwater, it was getting dark, chilly and the winds were picking up.

I started my drive from Cottage Grove, up Hwy 61, where traffic was moving at about 35mph, not too bad, but noticed once I got up to St. Paul Park, the right lane was not plowed, and not slick, like the other two lanes were, so I decided to hop in that lane and motor up to 494. Traffic on 494 was running about 40mph, and I was amazed to see people putting a big space between them and the car ahead of them. There is always that one weenie who darts in and out of traffic, and sadly I didn’t see him in the ditch.

I did spot one car buried in the median along with the little pickup in the photo above, who had just spun out. I continued my run out to Stillwater, to find all traffic was behaving well, and moving about 40mph. Not too bad considering the snow and blowing snow. I made it out to my destination, of course having a little fun on the dirt roads and drifting a bit in the snow, but would say while not great, all the roads I was traveling on were certainly passable by any car, with the exception of the dirt roads I was on. Otherwise, it was just slow going, but certainly drivable.

If this would have been a 8am Monday rush hour, I would have said shut it all down, stay home, but I had plans to keep, and wasn’t going to be deterred by a little snow.

The cold on the other hand, today, was enough to royally upset my truck, who is normally kept in a heated garage. After about 10 minutes of total cranking, a round with the 50amp boost charger, and some praying, the Explorer fired up and once I let her warm up a bit, took a spin around the neighborhood to get everything thawed out.

Take care on the roads, and I hope you have a safe and happy Holiday week.