Tips for Winter Driving in South Dakota

Just remember, no matter where you are driving, cell phone use can be very distracting. Did you know that when you take a glance at your cell phone, whether to text or read messages, your car traveling less than 60 mph will go the length of a football field, including the end zones?

Lack of attention can be especially dangerous if snow drifts, blowing snow or patches of ice suddenly appear in front of you. Also be prepared for deer and other wild animals to come out of no where and dart in front of your car. Sudden steering on any ice, even if you aren't driving fast, could cause you and the ditch to become close friends.

Listen to weather forecasts before you leave home. If you are traveling a distance, it is best to let someone know where you're going, your route and when you plan to arrive at your destination. Especially in winter, take time to charge your cell phone and fill your car with gas before you head out. Be sure your wipers are in tip top condition and that you have enough wiper fluid.

Listen to mom or grandma when they tell you to take along a blanket. Keep it inside your car where you can reach it. If you do slide into the ditch, you won't have to go out in the cold to get it. This will help keep your car warm too.

Also have a shovel, some food and a flash light with you. Pay attention to your surroundings. Most times you're easily located by your cell phone, but if you must give location it's helpful to know you just passed Joe's Gas Station or other local type landmarks if you're not on a main highway.

Check your tires and know that your vehicle will get you through the cold country. If you will be traveling on hills, be prepared for ice and snow. Will your vehicle be able to get up slick inclines?

Practice winter driving skills or if you are from a warmer part of the country, at least read and understand some of the tricks to winter driving.

Those would include:

1. Do not speed. Use common sense and drive according to conditions.

2. Do not follow the vehicle ahead of you too closely - even four wheel drive vehicles don't stop easily on ice.

3. Pay attention to the roadway and weather conditions.

4. Remember to move your eyes back and forth and watch your rear view mirror for vehicles that may be approaching too fast.

5. When road conditions turn terrible, drivers often "white knuckle" the steering wheel. Try not to work yourself into sort of a trance because of blowing snow or slick conditions. You need to be alert.

6. If you do get stuck, don't panic. Check out the situation. Are you able to "rock" your car out of the snowbank? Will you need to shovel? Does it look like you'd be able to get through another lane or on the other side of the road? Are you able to turn around and go back?

7. Of course, the smart thing to do is to pull off the road if conditions get bad. Staying in a road side cafe or a farm house is better than being stuck in your car. However, we don't always know what's just ahead and 5 miles or 5 minutes can completely change conditions.

It may be good to take along something to read or do in case you are stalled on the road for awhile. An accident ahead can cause a long traffic jam. Being impatient doesn't get you to your destination any quicker and you may even get that new book read. Sorry about that.