Winter driving safety tips from the Nevada Department of Transportation
Submitted by Brett Fisher on Mon, 02/04/2019 - 12:33pm
The Nevada Department of Transportation has published a comprehensive lsit of safe winter driving tips on its web site, www.nevadadot.com, a good resource to review as heavy snowfall is blanketing the Carson City area today into Tuesday.
"Nevada winters can bring harsh and ever-changing weather conditions," the NDOT web site states. "Driving hazards such as limited visibility, black ice, avalanche-prone areas and snow removal equipment are just some that may be encountered on winter roads."
Some key points from the list of safety tips include:
— Leaving early for a destination and giving yourself plenty of time to reach it safely.
— Check travel conditions before driving by dialing 5-1-1 (within Nevada) or 1-877-NV-ROADS (outside of Nevada) on your phone. Also visit nvroads.com for current road conditions.
— Share your travel itinerary with someone, so that others know when to expect you.
— Remove snow and ice from all vehicle windows, mirrors, lights, turn signals and license plates.
— Turn on headlights to see and be seen, and clear all windows of snow and ice that came hamper visibility.
— Carry tire chains or have snow tires mounted between Oct. 1 and April 30.
— Avoid quick, jerky starts, stops and fast turns. Accelerate, brake and steer gradually and smoothly.
— Reduce speed and driving according to the conditions of the road.
— Leave plenty of distance, more than in normal driving conditions, between your vehicle and those in front of you. Give yourself plenty of stopping distance.
— Apply steady pressue on anti-lock brake systems or pump brakes lightly on non-ABS vehicles. Do not slam on the brakes to stop. They will lock up.
— Be aware of black ice or ice underneath a layer of snow on the road. Look for a shiny, black glaze on bare-looking pavement. This may indicate the presence of black ice.
— If your vehicle begins to skid or slide, steer in the direction of the slide and slowly remove your foot from the accelerator.
— REMEMBER: Four-wheel drive vehicles do not necessarily turn or stop any better than other vehicles in Winter driving conditions.
— Watch for snow plows and other snow-clearing equipment on the road. Only pass snow-removal equipment and other vehicles when it is safe to do so; with good distance, sight clearance, and adequate lateral space between your vehicle and the one you are passing.
— Don’t travel beside a snowplow, and give snow-removal equipment room to operate. Do not pass in the path of snow discharge.
"The Nevada Department of Transportation works hard and effectively to clear Nevada roads for safe winter travel with maintenance experts plowing and applying anti-icing and de-icing chemicals and sand to keep winter roads safe for winter driving," the NDOT web site states. "Now, NDOT wants you to stay safe with winter driving."
