Winter Driving: Don't Leave Home Unless You Have To

Here's a true story: Some years ago, when a job had given one a 47-mile commute one-way, we also ran into one of the snowiest winters in Boston's recent past. Snowfall totals for the year were somewhere around 100 inches. Well, as a system manager for a large school district, there was very little that could be done not to get to work. The IT staff was tiny and if a server crashed the commute still had to be done.

Mr. Invincible??

So, there we were on one of the north/south interstates near here when this yo-yo (this is being charitable) comes steaming up the far left lane at about 65, yakking on a cell (they were pretty common by 1996), apparently thinking that because he was driving a heavy 4X4 SUV he was immune to problems.

Nature didn't see it that way, though, and we couldn't help but chuckle as we drove in a convoy in the far right lane as Mr. Invincible hit an undetected ice rut under about eight inches of snow. We can still see the look of utter shock and dismay that came over Mr. Invincible as he dropped his phone handset, put both hands on the wheel, only to start a four-wheel power slide into a huge gently sloped, but open median. Somehow, Mr. Invincible managed to find a little driving skill because he managed to somehow keep from flipping. The ultimate irony is that he managed get his speed up, get back into the passing lane and he continued his journey.

This incident illustrates several items pointed out in the current AAA Horizons, published by AAA Southern New England. John Paul, traffic safety manager and mechanical spokesman for the auto group, noted that the key to winter driving is slowing down, something which our friend in the big SUV obviously did not do. Also, allow extra space between vehicles (if you are closer than four seconds behind the car in front, you are too close. You figure this by picking a spot at the side of the road and waiting for the car in front of you to pass it and then count "one thousand, two thousand..." If you reach four thousand and find you have passed the mark, you are too close,so back it down).

Further, Paul noted that while four-wheel-drive "may help you up the hill...it won't slow you down or help you doing down the hill. Don't get lulled into a false sense of security just because you have a car with four-wheel-drive."

Longer stopping distances

AAA noted that one of the keys to safe winter driving is slowing down. "Cars require a 30- to 50-percent greater distance to stop in wintry conditions," AAA Horizons notes. In order to accommodate this, you must reduce your speed accordingly so that 60 becomes 40. Also, the MA State Police usually advises motorists to stay off highways unless that absolutely have to be out.

And, AAA advises to make all of your actions slow and deliberate to prevent skidding. "Make all maneuvers, from steering to braking, slow and steady to prevent skidding," the publication noted.

Interestingly, the auto club noted, ice and snow are most slippery "when hey are just starting to melt. This is most evident at intersections, where cars stop over the snow, melting it with the heat of the vehicle. Be especially careful at these areas."

The auto club had these words of advice for drivers who may experience "black ice." This is a stretch of roadway that looks totally clean but which is covered by a thin sheen of ice. It is especially troublesome at dusk. "This dangerous road condition forms when ice and snow start to thaw and then refreeze. It is usually found in the morning in shady areas like on- and off-ramps," the auto club noted.

If you do find your vehicle skidding or starting to skid, the first thing AAA advises is to remain calm. "...Don't panic or immediately step on the brake." Instead, AAA advises you to look and steering in the direction you want to go. "Once the car is back on track, begin to accelerate slowly until you are at the speed of traffic," AAA notes.

Be prepared

AAA advises you dress for your climate inside the car, not the one outside. "Don't wear so many layers of clothing that you cannot move comfortably while driving. Also, wear sensible gloves made for gripping a steering wheel, rather than mittens or other bulky gloves," the auto group advises.

Also, it noted that it makes sense to keep the heat level in the carat a "reasonable level and stay well ventilated. Excessive heat can lead to drowsy driving," AAA notes.

AAA has a brochure with winter driving tips called "How to Go on Ice and Snow." It is available online at AAA Horizons. You can also find other tips at AAA Public Affairs.