Safe Driving on Ice and Snow

Driving safely on icy roads

Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.

Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.

Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.

Keep your lights and windshield clean.

Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.

Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.

Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.

Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.

Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid:

Take your foot off the accelerator.

Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.

If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.

If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.

If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid:

Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.

As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck:

Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.

Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.

Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.

Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.

Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.

Try rocking your vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

Most importantly, if you don't have to drive, stay off the road and stay safe.

Information provided by the Weather Channel.

How Are Your Winter Driving Skills????

Driving during the winter takes specialized skills  in order to stay safe.  While the seasoned driver  may feel as if driving  in the winter months is common sense and second nature, a newer driver may not be aware of what to do to avoid an accident.

Test your knowledge for winter safety........................

WINTER DRIVING SAFETY QUIZ (answers at end)

1.  Hydro-planing is caused by:

     A.  Water spray from other vehicles

     B.  Lack of windshield wiper fluid

     C.  Driving too fast on wet roads

     D.  Icy roads

2.  While water turns to ice at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, ice can form on roadways when the air temperature is above 32 degrees.

     True

     False

3.  The first winter storm of the season is considered by many to be the most dangerous because:

     A.  Many motorists are not prepared for winter weather.

     B.  Emergency crews may not be prepared.

     C.  You may not be accustomed to driving during winter weather conditions yet.

     D.  All of the above.

4.  It is beginning to snow and the roadway is almost snow covered.  Any delay could cause you to miss your appointment.  What should you do?

     A.  Move to the left lane to pass slower traffic.

     B.  Find somewhere safe to park and call ahead to let others know you will be late.  Continue driving  
          cautiously  if it is safe to do so, or stay put until conditions improve.

     C.  Convoy with four-wheel drive trucks that drive fast.

     D.  Take an alternate rout with less traffic to slow you down.

6.  You are at a four-way stop.  The roadway is snow covered and icy.  You have the right of way and proceed into the intersection as a vehicle approaches from the right.  The other driver is unable to stop and hits your vehicle in the intersection.  This accident is:

     A.  Preventable because you failed to anticipate that the other driver may have difficulty stopping.

     B.  Non-preventable because the other driver failed to stop.

     C.  Non-preventable because the other driver did not anticipate ice at the intersection.

7.  Steps to reducing weather-related accidents include:

     A.  Reducing speed

     B.  Increasing following distance

     C.  Turning and braking carefully on slippery roads

     D.  All of the above

8.  Ice forms more readily in the following areas:

     A.  On bridges and overpasses

     B.  Shaded areas

     C.  At intersections

     D.  All of the above

9.  During severe, adverse weather, such as heavy snow, glaring ice, torrential rain. or very strong winds, you should:

     A.  Follow the vehicle in front of you.

     B.  Find a safe place to park and wait for conditions to improve.

     C.  Wait for a police escort.

     D.  Block the roadway to stop traffic.

10.  To increase visibility during adverse weather conditions, you should:

     A.  Flash your headlights.

     B.  Turn your four-way flashers on.

     C.  Turn your headlights on.

     D.  All of the above.



Answers:  1 = C, 2 = B, 3 = T, 4 = D, 5 = B, 6 = A, 7 = D, 8 = D, 9 = B, 10 = C.

Drive cautiously and defensively!!!

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Tips for Dealing with Melting Snow and Ice

In light of the excessive snow and ice that has shut down multiple states, here are answers to two of the most frequently asked questions now that the thaw is upon us.
If your client carries a water backup endorsement, coverage is triggered when water backs up through the sump pump or floor drain.
Groundwater coming through walls and windows is generally not covered unless it escapes directly from a pipe without communication to ground.
Here are some tips you can share with your clients in advance of the melting snow, to help them avoid possible water intrusion.
Make certain to rake your roof, even if you can only rake the first four or five feet from the gutter.
Be careful when approaching roof overhangs with icicles; they can drop at any time.
Make certain that the sump discharge pipe outside your home is not blocked by ice or snow.
Shovel snow away from the perimeter of your home as that will reduce the amount of water entering the ground next to your home’s foundation while the snow melts.
If possible, have a back-up power source for your sump pump.
Check to make sure your power service lines are clear of ice and snow as these can detach from the home and leave you without electricity increasing the risk of frozen pipes and backup of your sump system.

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