By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
Winter finally arrived in the form of several inches of snow last weekend. Late January through March have historically been the heavier snow months for these mountains, when the most and deepest snows occur. You need to be ready.
That means getting your home prepared and remembering that, as you venture out after it snows, your car also needs to be ready. It seems every year after a first snowfall, even if a storm was well predicted, some residents or visitors are suddenly stuck without a prepared vehicle with snow tires or chains or have forgotten how to drive in the snow. Remember to never use cruise control in snowy conditions.
Making sure your vehicle is ready is the first step. Have the car prepared for winter with antifreeze in the radiator, a strong battery and the proper snow tires and chains that fit. An AWD or 4WD vehicle with snow tires and chains makes a drive in winter safer and easier.
This graphic tells you what you need to know about winter driving.
But even AWD or 4WD cars encounter difficult driving conditions. First, it is better not to be driving during an active snowstorm, as the snow falling and sticking on the road makes the lanes unclear. Accidents are often the result, so staying off the roads while the snow is falling is the first safety suggestion. You may be a good driver but others may not be as good.
Always drive with your lights on, but not with your blinkers unless there is an emergency. Accelerate slowly so your wheels get traction, allowing at least three times the regular distance between cars.
Accelerate and brake slowly to avoid skidding. Driving over black ice can instantly make a vehicle lose traction and control, and can lead to crashes with other cars, guardrails and hillsides.
If your rear wheels skid, take your foot off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. With ABS brakes, do not pump your brakes; just apply steady pressure. Pumping standard brakes gently may help.
If you must drive, be sure your car is equipped with the necessary safety equipment, such as jumper cables, a spare tire, shovels, snow scraper, chains with a mat to lie on, waterproof gloves, flares, wooden matches in a waterproof container, first aid kit, a brightly colored flag or reflector to post if you are stranded. A warm, dry change of clothes is helpful with dry warm gloves for warmth, after installing chains or digging out. A charged cell phone and snacks are always nice when stranded.
If you do get stranded, such off the roadway or have skidded into a snowbank, check that your exhaust pipe is not buried in the snow. To keep warm when stuck, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes each hour to keep from freezing but crack open a window slightly to allow in some fresh air. If stuck in snow, remember to turn your front wheels side to side to push snow out of the way for forward motion, but spinning your wheels only digs you in deeper. Use the shovel and some kitty litter for traction or salt/snowmelt for melting the ice; these may help you when digging out.
Before driving in the mountain in winter, drivers should check the road conditions and know the road ratings. R-1 means carry chains and be prepared for possible icy conditions when temperatures are or have been below 40 degrees. This is the general road rating during the winter in these mountains.
R-2 means chains are required on all vehicles except 4WD or AWD vehicles.
R-3 is when all vehicles must use chains, even 4WD and AWD vehicles. R-3 generally is a strong warning to stay where you are and stay safe by not driving.
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