dp

It’s been a snowy winter for several parts of the country that don’t typically see this type of weather.  Specifically the Mid-Atlantic, where cities like Baltimore have already received 5 feet of snowfall, and we’re only halfway to spring.  While citizens of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine normally relish these levels of precipitation, they have gotten less than two feet of total accumulation.  Which has been a boom to their public works budgets but a bust for ski resorts without a lot of man made snowmaking capabilities…anyways, for those of you not familiar with driving around when the roads are white, here’s a list of things that can make your drive safer in the event of getting stuck.  Let’s say that the forecast is calling for 6″-12″ of snow with blowing winds and the temperatures are in the mid 20s(not unlike the weather in Maryland yesterday) and you are about to head into work, but expect to be battling the storm on your way home.

1. Have a full tank of gas.  You never know when you will get stuck, but being able to stay warm in the car/ recharge a dead phone/ and keep the headlights on to signal to rescuers is crucial.

2.  Winter clothes.  In case you need to spend the night in your vehicle or venture out into the storm to get help, you will be glad you had a heavy blanket, gloves, hat, and warm boots(nothing like walking in a blizzard wearing 3″ heels)

3.  Flashlight or headlamp.  They’re cheap and don’t take up much room in your trunk, console, or glovebox.  Helpful for signaling to rescuers,  morale, and lighting up the work area if you have to change a tire or dig yourself out.  I like maglites or black diamond head lamps.

4.  Collapsible shovel.  Crucial for clearing snow away from a stranded or a stuck vehicle.

4.a  Kitty litter is a great thing to use if your tires are still spinning after you cleared the snow.  Dump a bunch around and under your tires then try moving again.

4.b  Your car’s floormats can also be used to gain traction if you’re stuck.  When I lived in Colorado, this got my 4 wheel drive truck unstuck on more than one occasion.  Jam them under your tires in the direction you are trying to go.  Replace when done!

5.  Something red like an old t-shirt, bandanna, or underwear that you can affix to your antennae.  If your car doesn’t have an antenna, use your onstar!  This is so that rescuers can see you if your car has gone off the road.

6.  Food/Water.  If you know you are stuck and aren’t going anywhere for a while, you’d be amazed what kind of morale boost having a snack and staying hydrated can be.  Power bars and bottled water stay good for a very long time if unopened.

7.  If you know you will be driving in crappy weather, let someone know!  This can be as easy as a phone call, email, facebook update, tweet, etc… if you let someone know you are hitting the road, but don’t reach your destination, they can be instrumental in alerting the police and rescue personnel to your situation and location.

8.  If you live somewhere that it snows regularly.  Regularly get new snow tires.  They’ll bolster your winter driving confidence as well as your car’s ability to handle the snow.

I’ve never been in a situation where I was on the side of the road and was looking at staying the night snowbound in my car, but the general rule is do not get out and walk! (unless you know precisely where you are going).  I’ve also never been ran over by a DOT plow, but that’s one of the likely scenarios of what will happen if you try to start walking for help on a snow covered highway at night.  Also, say you leave your car and start walking.  It’s still snowing, so your tracks get covered up almost instantaneously.  How would rescuers know which way you started walking?  They wouldn’t; that’s why you stay in the car.  If you have any other ideas besides staying home and stocking up on liquor, please add them.

Don’t be this guy.