There I Was Just a Driving Down the Street

A snowy day promising icy roads.

So doing a Chinese fire drill — a prank in which the passengers of a motor vehicle that is stopped at an intersection get out of the vehicle, circle it, and return to their seats (according to an online dictionary) — in the middle of a busy street in the middle of winter in Idaho was probably not the best idea I ever had — particularly when the rest of the occupants of the car didn’t actually do it too. The roads were icy and I was a teenager making a poor decision. Luckily, nothing was harmed but my pride. Slouching in embarrassment for the rest of the drive, I wondered what I was thinking. However, from this experience, and almost sliding under the car on my wild run around it, I learned a valuable lesson — respect the weather when it comes to driving.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t my only encounter with Idaho winter driving, but fortunately, I learned to drive in winter conditions early on, and even though I did my share of slipping and sliding along icy roads, doing a three-sixty once, and narrowly missing a bunch of loose cattle appearing out of the fog and scattered across the road on a frosty morning another time, overall, I understand and apply practices that make driving in winter weather as safe as possible. So in the spirit of educating novice winter-weather drivers, here are some tips for preparing for and driving on snowy, icy roads garnered from my 40+ years of driving experience.

Winter Driving Tips

• Be aware of the weather. If you’ve got a trip planned and there is a possibility of a storm coming in, give yourself plenty of extra time to reach your destination.
• Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. Include items such as a first aid kit, jumper cables, rain ponchos, flashlights and working batteries, drinking water, non-perishable snacks, a tarp in case you need to change a tire on wet roads, wipes for cleanups, and an extra blanket. DMV.org is a good resource for additional information about emergency kits.
• Dress appropriately for the weather. Gloves, a scarf, and a hat may be just what you need. Either wear boots or keep a pair in your vehicle (toss a pair of socks in them, too) in case you get stuck somewhere and end up walking.
• Keep a map in your vehicle on road trips. GPS isn’t universally available in all locations, and having a physical map available may be helpful in case your mobile device breaks or dies. If you are planning a road trip, leave an itinerary with someone. If you are going to be significantly delayed, let people know.
• Keep your cell phone charged so you can call for help in case you have issues with traveling. Also keep some cash on hand to pay for gas, snacks, and other expenses. This can be beneficial if the power goes out at the gas station.
• Before road trips, check your car’s fluids and make sure they are at the appropriate levels. Consider keeping extra antifreeze, windshield washing fluid, and transmission fluid in your car. Be sure you have the appropriate tires for winter driving and that they are in good condition. Completely clear and defrost your windshield, windows, and mirrors before traveling. Clear any snow from in front of your headlights.
• When you find yourself driving on wet, snow-packed, or icy roads, remember these three things: Slow down, increase the distance between you and any vehicles in front of you, and start braking sooner than you normally would. It will take longer to stop safely.

I hope these tips will be beneficial for those days when the snow doesn’t stay in the mountains but insists on falling to the valley floor. And, if you by chance find yourself in a completely empty parking lot, who’s to say that cutting cookies is a bad thing — I learned how to do that under my father’s instruction!