Winter storms have already arrived in many parts of the country, making driving conditions treacherous and safe driving a challenge. In general, it is best not to drive at all during such a storm. However, despite the best attempts of meteorologists, winter storms don’t always arrive on schedule or with the same intensity as initially forecast. Even if you plan ahead, you can get stuck in the middle of a storm or stranded without another way home. If this happens to you, public transportation is usually the safest option, but if you must drive during a snow or ice storm, the following tips can help keep you safe on the roads:

• Do not travel alone. Having someone with you not only provides additional manpower to help if your vehicle gets stuck, it also means one of you can go get help if the other is injured. If you must go it alone, tell someone else when you are leaving, the route you are taking, and when you plan to arrive; this can help people locate you if you become stranded.
• Dress warmly. Wear loose-fitting clothing in layers. Don’t dress as if you are going for a car ride, dress as you would if you had to walk outside in winter conditions. Alternatively, you can bring along extra layers in the vehicle with you in case you get stranded and need to walk a long distance.
• Keep up with the latest road conditions. Before you leave, watch TV, listen to the radio, check the internet, or call the state highway patrol for information about the roads along your route. Along the way, you can listen to the car radio for updates.
• Use major streets or highways. It is always better to use well-travelled roads in a storm. These roadways are the first to be cleared by road crews. Also, taking major roads lessens the chance that you will get lost, increases the likelihood that you will be found if you run off the road, and provides more people to help you if you get stuck.
• Drive slowly. This is one of the most important tips for winter driving. Not only do vehicles take longer to stop in snowy or icy conditions, travelling at a low rate of speed helps lessen the chances that you will lose control of the vehicle and increases the probability that you will be able to regain control without a collision.
• Do not rely on four-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to get traction on snow-covered roads, but they do not stop any quicker than other vehicles; in fact, since they are usually heavier, it may take them longer to stop.
• Steer into a skid. If you start to slide, steer in the direction you want the car to go, then straighten the wheel when the car moves in the direction you want it to go.
• Know your brakes. If your vehicle does not have antilock breaks, it is important to pump the break pedal instead of applying constant pressure when trying to stop in slippery conditions. Vehicles with antilock breaks do not respond to pumping the brake pedal; a slow steady increase in pressure is best.
• Top off your tank. Keep your gas tank as full as possible in case you get stuck need to idle the car to stay warm. Also, it is a very bad idea to run out of gas in the middle of a storm.

Have questions about winter driving safety? Ask the experts at Healia Health Communities.

_{Source: Source: City of New York Office of Emergency Management, Winter Safety Tips, 2008 http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/}

_{Photo: ElektraCute, Flickr, Creative Commons}