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The first major snowfall of the year has arrived in the Fox Valley, and that means it’s time to get back in the habit of driving in wintry conditions. Snow and ice will decrease your tire traction and increase your stopping distance, both of which will lead to a bevy of automobile accidents this year.

Not all winter driving emergencies are preventable, but if you are prepared for the weather and take a few simple steps to account for the possibility of an accident, we’re confident that you’ll be able to handle a roadside emergency this winter. Below, we share some tips to help you prevent and prepare for a winter roadside emergency.

Preparing For And Preventing Winter Roadside Emergencies

Our team is dispatched daily to help deal with the aftermath of a roadside emergency or traffic accident, but because of the additional threats posed by the winter season, it’s imperative that you prepare for a potential problem so that the issue doesn’t become life threatening. Here’s how you can prepare for and prevent winter roadside emergencies.

Prep Your Winter Car Kit – A few months ago we shared what should be kept in a travel first-aid kit, but you’ll want to add a few items to your vehicle to prepare for the cold winter weather that were not included on that original list. Keep the following things in your vehicle so that you are more prepared in the event of an emergency:

• Blankets
• Jumper cables
• Phone charger
• Ice scraper
• Portable shovel
• Flashlight
• Tow strap
• Reflective roadside triangles

Tire Tune Up – Take a look at your tires to ensure they are still able to provide a helpful amount of traction on the road. There are a number of ways to examine the quality of your tire tread, but the easiest may be the penny test. Ensure your tires have enough tread to provide traction this winter, and consider upgrading to a new set or putting on winter tires if your current set is worn down.

Check The Weather – Always know what weather is expected to arrive in the coming days so that you can avoid traveling at the worst times if possible. This isn’t always possible if you’re heading to work, but if you need to run errands or want to meet up with friends or family, try to plan around inclement weather so that driving isn’t as hazardous.

Leave Early/Take It Slow – Leave a little earlier when the road conditions aren’t ideal. This way you won’t feel like you need to speed or drive recklessly in order to reach your destination in time. Travel at a speed you are comfortable with. If others are driving faster than you are comfortable with, don’t try to match their speed.

Get To A Safe Place – In the event you end up in an accident, you’ll want to get yourself to a safe place. If you’re just stuck in a ditch, oftentimes the safest place to be is in your vehicle until help arrives. Walking on the road can be dangerous for a number of reasons, so find a safe place to shelter until help arrives if you are able to call for assistance. If your vehicle is a hazard for other drivers, try to maneuver it to a safe location, but make sure you get yourself to a safe spot.

Beware Of Exhaust – It’s understandable that you’ll want to keep the car running until help arrives so that you can stay warm, but if the exhaust pipe has been buried in the snow, deadly carbon monoxide can enter the vehicle’s cabin. If snow has made its way into the engine component, running the engine for too long can cause it to overheat. It’s better to be cold and awake than warm, comfortable and sleepy while you wait for help. Again, this is why it’s important to pack for the weather and keep blankets in your car so that you don’t need to rely on your vehicle to keep you warm while you wait for help.

We’re here to help you in the event of a roadside emergency or after a traffic accident, but we hope you’ll make some smart decisions and drive as safely as possible this winter. For more tips, or to reach out to the team at Gold Cross Ambulance, give us a call today at (920) 727-3020.

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