Marshall Police Offer Great Set Of Winter Driving Tips

One of the things that has been clear with the record amount of snow this December in Minnesota, is that people are having to think earlier about how to deal with hazardous road conditions. Recently, Sgt. Jeff Wenker of the Marshall Police Department made a number of great suggestions concerning winter driving. They included:

• Watch the weather, don’t travel if the weather is bad
• Carry extra clothing, extra blankets and extra food with you and a heat source such as Sterno or candles is not a bad idea to take along.
• An empty can, such as a coffee can, can be used for bathroom breaks. Toilet paper and hand wipes could be useful, as well.
• If you are on medications, always carry extra.
• Don’t store extra water in your vehicle because it will freeze, but take extra water with you before you leave on the trip.
• Make sure your cell phone is fully charged and bring a charger with you.
• Let someone know the route you will be taking and do not deviate from it.
• Take your time. A four-hour trip might take five. It’s easier to drive slow when you’ve allowed the time.
• If you do slide off the road or have to pull over due to the weather or road conditions: Your car can be an effective shelter so don’t leave it unless you have to. Windchills are dangerous and can kill if you are exposed for too long. A vehicle offers some protection from that.
• If it’s a white-out, you don’t want to walk out, because you can lose your way.
• Run the engine 10 minutes every hour to help keep you warm. Bundle up in the extra clothes and blankets.
• Keep the windows open a crack so you stand less chance of being poisoned by carbon monoxide. Check the tail pipe periodically and clear it if necessary to keep the exhaust from coming back into the vehicle.

Hopefully, all of the suggestions will lead to lives being saved and people making it home safe this winter.