Peep hole driving not taught in drivers ed

  • Published
  • By compiled staff reports
  • 354th Fighter Wing Safety Staff
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Look out in the parking lot on a wintry morning and there is almost a guarantee that there will be one vehicle sporting a not-so-new but highly dangerous trend -- the 'peep hole' look.

Sadly this dangerous time saver could wind up costing a lot more than the few seconds it saved. The practice, as mentioned above, is called 'peep hole' driving, where motorists clear just enough of the driver's side of the windshield to see out. What drivers fail to realize is when sunlight hits the remaining frost on the windshield, they're literally driving blind. Additionally, these motorists are unable to see other motorist outside of their tunnel vision, which is created by 'peep hole' driving.

Many experienced drivers have driven down the Richardson Highway and seen flying snow or ice that suddenly obscured the roadway. An educated guess is that another driver had not cleaned off his/her car and the snow blew off the roof of their vehicle into the flow of traffic behind them. It can be enough to cause accidents.

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

Simple actions to take can curtail this dangerous trend.

- It's all about common sense and courtesy. All motorists must take into consideration that other drivers are on the road. Taking the extra time to completely clean a car of frost improves driving conditions for all motorists. Proper visibility makes it easier to see the road ahead and what is coming from all sides.

- It's also a good idea to clean all snow from headlights and brake lights. In the event of extreme weather conditions, this will not only improve visibility but alert other drivers of you're actions.

For more winter safe driving information, call the 354 FW safety office at 377-4260/1842 or -1351.