Extreme cold

Active member Joined: Dec 24, 2009 Posts: 52

When you do have to make a journey in the snow or extreme conditions be sure to pack a few extra items in the car such as enough warm clothing for everyone, spare blankets, drinking water and make certain your spare tyre is in good working order.

Driver Joined: Dec 30, 2009 Posts: 124

The key to getting through anything is preparation. Before winter comes I prepare for winter. The house and the car get wintered up. Also I keep up with the weather forecasts, so that I don't get any surprises.

GSA has a list of thing to do to prepare for extreme cold weather driving.
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cfocus/cfextremecold07/focus.htm#driving

FEMA has some guidelnes on what to do if have to drive in extreme cold weather.
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/winter/wi_during.shtm#2

Active member Joined: Dec 24, 2009 Posts: 52

SAFETY TIPS

When driving on the freeway, drive in the center lanes as water tends to pool in the outside lanes.
Turn on your headlights! It will help you see better on foggy or rainy days and it will help other drivers see you!
Increase your following distance and watch for brake lights ahead.
Slow down – it takes longer to stop in wet weather. Plus the faster you drive, the greater the chances of hydroplaning!
Drive slowly through any puddle of uncertain depth. That way if it’s deeper than you thought, you can still back out!
Never drive through moving water if you can’t see the ground through it – you could be swept right off the road!

Site Admin Joined: Jan 06, 2010 Posts: 485

If driving in snow, wasn't difficult enough, driving through slush and ice is a REAL nightmare! Here in london, it's stopped snowing, but the side lanes are still slushy and full of hardened ice...and today my car just skidded over the road onto the kerb despite the slow speed! (thank god no cars were around at the time!) What am I doing wrong....? Confused

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:06 am

myownworld wrote:

What am I doing wrong....? Confused

Driving, obviously! Razz

But seriously, if you can find an ice driving course in your area, or just find a deserted parking lot covered with ice and just spend a couple of hours there, you'll tremendously better your driving skills Smile

Site Admin Joined: Jan 06, 2010 Posts: 485

lol...unfortunately, there's no choice as I have to drive to work... Sad

!

ok....this weekend it's me and an icy parking lot...and if I survive in one piece, I'll get back to you! Wink

(thanks for replying!)

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:26 pm

MOW, did you have a chance to give your ice driving skills a boost? Smile

Site Admin Joined: Jan 06, 2010 Posts: 485

Misha wrote:

MOW, did you have a chance to give your ice driving skills a boost? Smile

it melted away in the nick of time!! yaaay! Wink

Site Admin Joined: Jan 06, 2010 Posts: 485

Misha wrote:

MOW, did you have a chance to give your ice driving skills a boost? Smile

it melted away in the nick of time!! whew! Wink

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:39 am

Uh-oh, that's a pity. I hope you'll get a lot more soon Razz

Site Admin Joined: Jan 06, 2010 Posts: 485

Misha wrote:

Uh-oh, that's a pity. I hope you'll get a lot more soon Razz

when it does, I'll make sure to throw a snow ball right at you!!

Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:01 am

I will gladly return the favor Laughing

Driver Joined: Dec 30, 2009 Posts: 124

myownworld,

What's happening in London? It has gotten a lot of snow lately?

Site Admin Joined: Jan 06, 2010 Posts: 485

yeah, it's either too much rain or too much snow!! Well, if Misha hasn't jinxed us ( Wink

) hopefully we should see brighter days soon!

Driver Joined: Dec 30, 2009 Posts: 124

myownworld wrote:

yeah, it's either too much rain or too much snow!! Well, if Misha hasn't jinxed us ( Wink

) hopefully we should see brighter days soon!

I saw Internet videos of London in the snow, and read comments that London was getting record, historic levels of snow fall. I was thinking ice age.

I don't like winter and any snow and ice is too much for me. In DC, the USA capitol city, we have been getting a little more than usual. I don't want to cry out loud about it too much, or folks from areas with much more snow will ask, what am I complaining about? Anyway drive safe and wish me the same.