Winter Driving Safety Provided by: Maintenance and Logistics Command Pacific Health & Safety Division

Driving In Snow and Ice  If you don't have to drive--don't!  If you don't have to drive--don't!  In WA for road conditions. Call 511.  Potential driving hazards.  Leave early  Slow down.  Plowed Lanes:  Stay in the plowed lane;  Avoid ridges  Slow down, signal and move over slowly.  Don't pass a snowplow.  Don't park along the street.  SKIDS?  If you MUST brake:  NO ABS = Don't pump your brakes  ABS = Press the brake pedal and hold.  Fender-bender  Emergency winter driving kit.  Drive with your headlights on.  Keep snow and ice off your mirrors, windows and lights.  As always, wear your seatbelts.

Winter Driving Important To Do’s  When the gas tank in your car gets to half full, fill it up.  Going out of town?  Let someone know where you’re going and the estimated time of arrival at your destination.  Keep cell phone fully charged in case you have to make an emergency call – or keep a charger in the car.  Emergency kit.  including first-aid and prescription medications, bandages, and other first-aid necessities.  Pack a car maintenance bag.

Driving In Snow and Ice Control  3 key factors: Smooth inputs at the steering wheel, accelerator and brake  Steering  Initial movement of the steering wheel that is critically important  Begin turning the wheel gently, then accelerate the rate of motion once the turn is initiated, if necessary  Acceleration  The first few fractions of an inch of pedal travel are critical. Once the vehicle is rolling, increase pressure on the pedal, keep it below the wheel spin threshold  Braking  Brake before you turn into a corner, steer through the corner at a safe speed, and then accelerate again when you straighten out of it.  Best to separate input actions

Skid Control If your car begins to skid – it doesn’t matter whether it’s front or rear wheels that is losing traction – just REMEMBER THIS:  Look and Steer Where You Want to Go  Counter steer as necessary  Stay off the brake and gas pedals  Don’t shift to neutral

Winter Driving If You Become Stranded Do not leave your car Do not leave your car – unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help, and are certain you will improve your situation. To attract attention To attract attention – light two flares and place one at each end of the car a safe distance away. Hang a brightly colored cloth from your antenna. If the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked If the car's exhaust pipe is not blocked – run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount of gas in the tank. To protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia To protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia – use woolen items and blankets to keep warm. Keep at least one window open slightly Keep at least one window open slightly – heavy snow and ice can seal a car shut. Keep your mouth moist Keep your mouth moist – hard candy

Winter Driving Equipment and Supplies Necessary Equipment:  Inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack  A shovel  Jumper cables  Tow and tire chains  A bag of salt or cat litter  Tool kit Essential Supplies  “Survival Kit" that should always remain in the car.  Replenish after use. Essential supplies include:  Working flashlight and extra batteries  Reflective triangles and brightly- colored cloth  Compass  First aid kit  Exterior windshield cleaner  Ice scraper and snow brush  Wooden stick matches in a waterproof container  Scissors and string/cord  Non-perishable, high energy foods like unsalted canned nuts, dried fruits, and hard candy  Driving long distances:  supplies to keep you warm, such as heavy woolen mittens, socks, a cap, and blankets.

Roadside Emergency Kit Emergency Kit: Road Flare with Matches / Warning Triangle Road Flare with Matches / Warning Triangle Auto Distress Flag Auto Distress Flag Cell Phone Cell Phone Safety Reflector Vest Safety Reflector Vest Jumper Cables Jumper Cables First Aid Kit / CPR Mouth Piece First Aid Kit / CPR Mouth Piece Flashlight with Extra Batteries Flashlight with Extra Batteries Fire Extinguisher Fire Extinguisher Bottled Water Bottled Water Crackers or Cookies / Granola or Energy Bars Crackers or Cookies / Granola or Energy Bars Extra Fuses Extra Fuses Gloves Gloves Nonflammable Tire Inflator Nonflammable Tire Inflator Rags Rags Road Maps Road Maps Hand Cleaner / Wet Naps Hand Cleaner / Wet Naps Whistle Whistle Spending Money / Change Spending Money / Change Extra Pair of Walking Shoes Extra Pair of Walking Shoes Items to Include Based on Climate: Items to Include Based on Climate: Ice Scraper Emergency Thermal Blanket Traction Aids (Sand, Rock Salt, or Kitty Litter) Jacket or Raincoat, Boots Umbrella Extra Water Tire Chains (Snow) Tools: Screwdrivers (Flat and Phillips Head) Pliers Vise Grips Adjustable Wrench Shovel Roll of Duct Tape Pocketknife / Multi-tool Tire Pressure Gauge Funnel Wire or Rope Fluids: Empty Gas Can Two Quarts of Oil Gallon of Antifreeze Brake Fluid /Transmission Fluid

TRiPS/ASMIS Travel Risk Planning System (TRiPS) Army Safety Management Information System (ASMIS) Online PMV Trip Risk-Planning Tool Online PMV Trip Risk-Planning Tool – Hazard Assessment – Recommendations – Copy to Supervisor Army’s results: 2,000,000 assessments in 2006 Army’s results: 2,000,000 assessments in 2006 TRiPS users 2.5 times less likely to be in fatal PMV mishap TRiPS users 2.5 times less likely to be in fatal PMV mishap Coast Guard TRAVEL RISK PLANNING SYSTEM (TRIPS) Coast Guard TRAVEL RISK PLANNING SYSTEM (TRIPS) – Icon located under “HOT TOPICS" at link: