Winter Travel Safety Tips

Several weeks ago in New York State a woman watched her husband die from hypothermia when their car slid off the road into a forest. Along that stretch of road, there was no cell-phone service so the couple could not call for help. The woman was found badly hurt, but alive after a few days. However, she watched as her husband died from the cold. There followed an outcry about the lack of cell towers for as much as one hour's stretch of road along the Adirondeck mountains. Nature preservationists had fought against the towers since it would destroy the natural beauty of the area. Now, New York State senators are scrambling to change the law so that cell phone service would be available for drivers.

Not too many weeks before this incident, a family returning home from visiting relatives in the Pacific Northest drove into a winter storm and were stranded. The man left the car trying to find help, and died in the woods. The rest of the family miraculously survived almost a week in the car before help came.

Even if cell phone service is available on mountain roads, there are always "dead spots" because of the terrain, and sometimes a cell phone will just not work. Therefore, it is important that you be aware of how to protect yourself in case you get stuck on the road in winter weather. Here are some important safety tips:

- Be sure your car is winterized. Be sure that you have checked the antifreeze level and that your car is in good condition.

- If you will be traveling in unknown territory, or on mountainous or country roads, it's important that you start out with a full tank of gas, and refill the tank when you get to 1/2 tank.

- Keep a set of flares in the car so that if you need to attract attention, you can light the flares a safe distance from the car and any brush.

- Keep a flashlight within easy reach in your car. If you should go off the road, and you are hurt and can't leave the car, you can try to signal for help with the flashlight.

- If you cannot move your car and you do not know how far you would have to walk for help, don't leave the car.

- Keep a blanket, gloves or mittens in the car. If you get stuck and need to wait for help, these will help you keep warm.

- If your car can start, run the heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so, depending on how much gas you have. But be sure the exhaust pipe is clear of any snow or other obstruction.

- Keep a small shovel in the car, along with an ice chipper and brush. If you are stuck in the snow, these items might help you get out of the snow.

- Keep bottled water or juice in the car.

- Bring along something nonperishable to eat, such as nuts or dried fruit.

- Make sure your cellphone is fully charged when you leave the house. If you are traveling to or from family or friends, keep in touch with them on the way especially if the weather is bad. If you get stuck and can't reach them, they'll know where you are traveling and can call for help.

For a full list of safety tips, visit the Weather Channel website at: www.weather.com. Under the section, "Driving Safety Tips", the website lists safe driving tips for all types of weather. These tips are recommended by the National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and the Washington State Government Information and Services.