Surviving Holiday Travel: Winter Driving Tips
Every winter thousands of Michigan residents brave snow-covered roads and icy conditions to visit their families for the holidays
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When Dreaming of a White Christmas becomes a reality, inclement weather can cause hazardous road conditions. Drivers should prepare ahead of time before severe winter weather is unexpectedly added to their travel itinerary.
1. Tips for Your Holiday Road Trip
Safe driving is the best way to avoid accidents, but when taking a long trip take the following basic measures to avoid risk.
* Before leaving, let friends and family know what route you plan on traveling and when you are expecting to get to your destination.
* Always carry a freshly charged cell phone and watch your surroundings.
* Do not rush. Speeding on slippery surfaces is easiest way to get in an accident.
* Watch for road signs, landmarks and construction signs to anticipate hazardous surroundings.
* Pack an emergency supply kit during the winter, especially when planning a holiday road trip.
2. Basic Items to Pack in Your Emergency Kit
When facing an emergency, having a properly packed emergency kit can keep all passengers in the car safe when immediate assistance is not available. The following items can help if you become stranded in your car for hours.
* Warm clothing (gloves, boots, hats, etc.)
* Flashlights and flares
* Small candles (with matches)
* Small shovel (with sand or kitty litter)
* Blankets and first-aid supplies
* Snacks and drinking water
3. Easy Vehicle Maintenance Tips for Winter Traveling
Preventative maintenance on your vehicle is another step that will limit unwelcomed surprises on a holiday road trip.
* Check your vehicle's antifreeze levels and if it is low, top it off
* Install fresh wiper blades and fill-up the washer reservoir, keeping an extra bottle of windshield wiper fluid is also a good idea
* Clean your car's battery terminals
* Make sure your vehicle's tire treads are in good shape and check tire pressure
* Check oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid and transmission fluids
4. Get the Latest Road Condition Updates
Information is another valuable asset to winter travelers. Michigan has a Winter Travel Advisory web site that allows drivers to check road conditions throughout the state. The site lists the condition of all freeways and state truck lines in the state. While the site does not have information regarding rural or county roads, the conditions of the freeways in the area should give drivers an indication of what the roads in the area are like.
Roads can be categorized as clear, wet, icy, snow covered, slushy, overpass icy, drifting snow, lanes reduced, blowing snow, or closed. The Michigan State Police update the traffic site twice a day and it runs from November to March. Drivers can also call get the information by calling a toll free hotline at 1-800-381-8477.
Traveling during the holidays is not easy, but for many people it is a necessity. With just a little preparation, some of the risk involved can be greatly reduced.
by: Steve Julius
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