Page A-8 - Mason County Journal - Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014
How to stay safe on wintry roads
Many people will remember the winter of 2013-14
for all the wrong reasons. Record low temperatures
and heavy snowfall were the story last winter. With
winter now on the horizon once again, many motorists
are looking for ways to ensure their daily commutes or
holiday trips to visit family and friends are as safe as
possible.
When wintry conditions, including snowfall, com-
promise driving conditions, it's best for motorists to
stay home. But avoiding roadways altogether is not
always an option, so motorists who simply must ven-
ture out onto the roadways this winter can employ
the following strategies to ensure they safely arrive at
their destinations.
can make roadways unsafe even in areas that have not
witnessed a single snowflake fall from the sky. Wet
winter roads can quickly turn into icy winter roads,
and no ABS system or traction control device can
prevent a car that's traveling too fast from skidding
out. Poor visibility is another reason to drive slowly in
winter. Peripheral vision is of Len compromised when
driving in winter, as dirt, salt or sand buildup on
windshields and side windows and mirrors can make
it hard for motorists to fully view their surroundings.
Even if your vision is not compromised, a fellow motor-
ist's might be. So ease up on the gas pedal in winter
so you have more time to react to potentially adverse
conditions.
hard for motorists to see or avoid vehicles on the side
of the road. Maintain proper fluid levels and make
sure your battery is charged and the gas tank is full
before making any winter trips.
Wintry conditions olden make driving especially
hazardous. But drivers who adopt certain habits when
driving in winter can greatly reduce their risk of ac-
cidents.
Consider winter tires
Many drivers are unsure if they need winter tires.
All-season tires may suffice for those drivers who live
in regions where heavy snowfall is uncommon. But
winter tires are designed to perform when the temper-
atures are especially cold and in driving conditions fea-
turing ice, slush and snow. Drivers who live in regions
where snowfall is significant or even expected to be
significant may want to install winter tires just to be
on the safe side. Some drivers mistakenly believe that
vehicle features such as anti-lock braking systems and
traction control make their tires more capable of han-
dling wintry roads. But such features do not provide
more traction. ABS and traction control only prevent
drivers from over-braking or Overpowering the traction
of their tires. Only better tires will improve traction.
Drive slowly"
Many drivers mistakenly believe they only need to
drive slow when snow is falling. But winter weather
Don2 drive too closely to other motodsts
In addition to driving slowly, motorists also should
leave extra room between their vehicles and the ve-
hicles in front of them. In such conditions, for every
10 miles per hour drive a minimum of four car lengths
behind the motorist in front of you. So if you are driv-
ing 50 miles per hour, be sure to leave 20 car lengths
between you and the car ahead of you. This gives you
ample time to react and builds in some extra response
time should your visibility be compromised.
Maintain your vehicle
A vehicle should be maintained regardless of the
season, but it's especially important that your vehicle
perform at its peak in winter. A vehicle's battery and
windshield wipers are a winter driver's best friend, but
only if they are operating at optimal capacity. Being
stranded on a roadside in winter is more dangerous
than in any other time of year. That's because driver
visibility is more compromised in winter, and it can be
Winter storms often make for unsafe driving
conditions, and motorists must alter their habits
when making winter tdps.
Buy 4 Shocks or
Struts for the
price of 3!
Exp. 10/31/2014.
See store for details.
Fatt "
Lube, Oil & Filter Change
WITH:
• 30-point inspection
• Brake inspection • Tire rotation
• Battery & alternator test
$39"
'02 Chevy
Malibu
Extra clean!
One owner!
Safety Inspection
on all vehicles
See Bob, Jackie or Mark
AUTOMOTIVE
Shelton
m
426-1467
