Traveling Home: U.P. Winter Driving Tips

Before hitting the roads and heading home for break there are a few things you should do: 

• Let somebody know when you are leaving and when you expect to arrive
• Make sure your phone is charged
• Always keep your fuel tank above half in the winter
• Make sure your oil is clean and full
• Check your tires for wear and pressure
• Check that your windshield wipers are working properly

Whether you are driving 30 minutes out of town or six hours away, it is always important to have a winter emergency kit in your vehicle at all times. Items that should be included (but are not limited to) are: non-perishable foods, a blanket, flashlight, shovel and warm clothing.

While on the road, there are a few things you should keep in mind during your drive:

• Make sure to slow down! Snow, sleet and ice make stopping on roads extremely difficult.
• Don’t crowd the snow plows. They travel slow, make wide turns and have several large blind spots. 
• Increase your following distance so you have plenty of time to stop for the vehicle in front of you.
• Do not use cruise control while driving on any type of slippery surface.

If you are put in the situation where you and your vehicle slide off of the road, please do the following:

• Call 911 immediately
• Stay with your vehicle, do not walk onto the roadway or wander off during a storm.
• Be mindful of carbon monoxide poisoning. 
• Make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of snow or any other debris. 
• Only run your vehicle long enough to warm up.

If you are to go out driving in a storm (or if a potential storm is pending), please only do so if it is totally necessary! Remember that at the end of the day, your safety is the most important factor. Drive slowly on ice and snow, and buckle up!