Chill out and take your time when driving in the winter
Last Sunday, I was driving back from Priest River at about 6:30 p.m.
I was traveling about 30 mph because of the packed ice and black ice that covered the road, the speed limit was 45 mph in that area I was in. Suddenly a pickup truck swerved around me and blasted down the road.
Biting my lip to keep from cussing, I continued cautiously toward my destination. About five minutes later, I saw that same two-wheeled-drive pickup in a farmer’s field; apparently he slid off the road, went down a ditch and blasted out about 100 feet into this field. I stopped, turned on my flashers and checked to see if the driver was hurt. Fortunately he wasn’t; however, his truck had sustained severe damage.
While looking at his truck, the driver kept saying “I don’t know what happened.” I finally turned to him and said “It’s called black ice; we have a lot of it here.” I checked his truck to see if he had any emergency equipment; he didn’t. I asked him if he had a cell phone; he said he did. I advised him to call for a tow truck to get him out of the field. I also advised him to contact the farmer who owned the field because he destroyed the farmer’s fence. As a walked away from the scene I noticed he had Arizona license plates.
Black-iced roads are very dangerous, especially at high speeds. Below is a list of winter safety tips that I use during winter conditions, please consider the following:
Winter driving kit:
A well-stocked winter driving kit makes life a lot easier when you absolutely need it. Here is one example:
n Tire chains that fit properly
n Bag of sand (non-clumping kitty litter works great)
n Snow shovel
n Ice scraper with a brush
n Jumper cables
n Warning devices such as flares
n Flash light with extra batteries
n Blanket
n Extra clothing
n First aid kit
n Emergency food and water. (Food is a great thing to have if you’re sitting in a snow bank for several hours.)
n Matches and a couple of candles. It is surprising how well they can warm up the interior of a car.
n Cell phone for emergency help.
How should you drive in winter weather?
n Buckle up before you start driving.
n Slow down. Your speed should be based on the conditions of the road not the posted speed limit.
n Be alert. Moose, deer, are still present.
n Drive with your lights on so the person behind you can see your tail lights.
n Give yourself extra time to get from one location to another.
n Lengthen your following distance, that way you don’t have to slam on your brakes; which will cause you to slide uncontrollably.
n Steer with smooth and precise movements. Changing lanes too fast or jerking your steering wheel can cause you to skid.
n If you are facing white-out conditions, pull off the road.
n On ice-packed roads or roads that have black ice, slow down and pay attention to the feel of the road through your steering wheel. It will telegraph how slippery the roads condition are — adjust your speed accordingly.
In closing, please slow down when driving so that you can enjoy our winter wonderland.
If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), e-mail them to nwees@hughes.net or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed do? For more information about Ed, go online to www.nwees.com.
Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified indoor environmental professional, forensic, fire, flood, mold Inspection and remediation/restoration contractor. Ed is the president of Northwest Environmental Services, Inc.