Winter driving safety

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Winters in interior Alaska are harsher than most -- with its long hours of darkness, snow and ice, and the ever-present below freezing temperatures.

Icemen should take special caution when venturing out during the winter months, even if it's just a short run to the store.

"Due to road conditions in interior Alaska, the potential to be involved in a vehicle mishap is greatly increased," said Tech. Sgt. Richard Caudill, 354th Fighter Wing Safety Office.

The first month of snowfall is when the most incidents occur because after a couple of months of summer, people forget the cardinal rules of driving on snow and ice. Some simple practices can lower incidents.

"Increase following distance, slow down, allow extra time to get to your destination, never assume because you have the right-of-way or a green light that the other person is going to stop," he added, "Always error on the side of caution."

Every year at this time, when the first snows come, drivers get a sharp reminder that they need to bring out their winter driving skills. The same points are echoed year after year: 
We need to slow down. 
We need to make sure our vehicles have tires suitable for winter driving. 
We need to pay attention to the road, maybe even leaving the cell phones alone. 
We need to keep a good distance behind the vehicle ahead. 
We need to allow extra time to get to where we are going. 
We need to be patient. 

The roadways will be slick many times throughout the coming winter; that's a given. We need to be aware of that fact now.

During the winter a vehicle breaking down or getting stuck on the side of the road could turn into a life or death situation. It is important to prepare for the unexpected and have a survival kit packed an in the vehicle at all times. Remember it is impossible to include every item that may be needed in a survival situation for everyone in the vehicle. By including a few items drivers will have the essentials if an emergency arises. Periodically check items for serviceability and shelf life.

The safety office also urges motorists to clear all ice and snow from their vehicles and not just the windshield. That means not only from the other windows, but the roof, hood and trunk, as well. Snow and ice blowing off a vehicle can obscure other motorist's vision.