It’s no secret winter is upon us, and final week was our pleasant Wyoming reminder. Yearly after the primary few snowfalls, legislation enforcement and first responders are busy responding to a number of wrecks, slide-offs and different site visitors hazards whereas neighborhood members acclimate to the ever-changing highway circumstances. And yearly we hear the identical grievance, “You assume individuals would be taught to go slower and plan forward this time of 12 months.”
Whereas Wyoming could have its justifiable share of mishaps because it pertains to driving on poor highway circumstances, it doesn’t examine to what I encountered this previous week driving by way of Texas.
My household and I have been lucky to take a fast journey all the way down to Arlington, Texas, and through our drive we encountered heavy rain simply North of Fort Price. Now when you would have requested me beforehand if I’d have thought heavy rain would have prompted points for Texas drivers, I’d have mentioned no. However after driving by way of the world and seeing the excessive variety of automobiles on the facet of the highway and within the median, properly let’s simply say, I be taught one thing new on daily basis. Fortunately there have been no severe accidents, and we have been in a position to get to Arlington with no points.
On the way in which residence, simply south of Amarillo, not solely did we encounter extra heavy rain, however the temperature dropped beneath freezing. We have been now driving in what seemed to be an ice storm and on black ice. Now this undoubtedly had the Texas drivers out of whack. It was like driving by way of a pinball machine watching all the automobiles slide off the highway and into the median and barrow ditch. Our Wyoming automobile pushed on, staying between the strains, and we made it residence protected with out encountering any severe accidents.
I say all of this as a result of I’m really proud to dwell in an space the place, comparatively talking, most all drivers are able to driving in all varieties of climate and highway circumstances. Certain, we could have our moments, however I do assume it’s fewer than in different places.
Listed here are some ideas for protected journey this winter.
- Guarantee your automobile is in optimum situation for the winter season. This could vary from mechanical wants like having a very good battery to correct and protected tires.
- Take the time to find out how your automobile will carry out on moist, icy and snow-packed roads.
- Inventory your automobile with an emergency package within the occasion you break down or get caught. This could embrace meals, water and additional heat garments.
- For those who do get caught and it’s essential go away your automobile operating, make sure the exhaust is cleared of any snow or different obstructions.
- Plan further time for journey, particularly when snow or different climate occasions are anticipated.
- Don’t crowd the snow plow. For those who select to cross the plow, please use warning when doing so.
- All the time put on your seatbelt.
For those who’d like extra info on winter touring, please go to the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration web site at nhtsa.gov. Protected travels!
