Winter Driving Tips - RMIIA

1 Winter Driving TipsHelp keep your car under control and your winterdrive a pleasure by following these easy techniques:Maintain Traction- Start and stop gradually to avoidlosing traction in wet or slippery conditions. Drive at steadyspeeds, avoiding sudden starts or stops. Accelerateslightly when approaching a hill, then maintain steadyspeed going up. Gearing down ahead of downgradescan help avoid brake wear and reduce the chances of Driving sensibly and steadily will avoidmost skids. Anticipating turns or lane changes will your vehicle begins to skid, remove your foot fromthe accelerator or brake and steer in the direction of theskid. When the vehicle steadies itself, turn the wheelsstraight and Be gentle with braking pressure duringslippery road conditions.

2 Gentle pumping action on discbrakes will avoid locking the wheels and sending thevehicle into a skid or spin. Anti-lock braking systemsprovide this action for you. Avoid braking on curves bydriving through them at a safe, steady speed. Gear downfor going both uphill and can t stop better or faster on ice andsnow than 2WD vehicles, even if they are locked intofour wheel drive. The heavier the vehicle, the longer ittakes to stop, no matter how many drive wheels. Manyof the popular sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are heavyand require a greater stopping Around Snow Removal EquipmentColorado s snowplows use distinctive amber andblue lights to warn you well in advance that snowremoval operations are underway.

3 When you see theselights, slow down and use best course of action will be to follow wellbehind the plow with your headlights on, staying awayfrom flying snow and sand which the truck may bespreading to improve may also encounter a CDOT truck applyingliquid de-icer. Stay back to avoid getting extensiveliquid on your Driving in the snowplow s blind spots. If youmust pass the plow, remember the limited visibilitycaused by flying snow. Be sure you have enough visibility to avoid the rooster tail of snow coming fromthe plow s blade. Please do your part by Driving safelyaround Colorado s Does CDOT Use Liquid De-Icers?Ever wonder what those big tankers are applying toColorado s highways? CDOT maintenance crews use liquidde-icers like magnesium chloride at the onset of a storm toprevent ice from forming and during and after a storm tobreak the bond of snow and :It reduces the formation of snow/ice on thehighways and provides a quicker return to bare pavementand higher Driving speeds; there is less reliance on thechain law and fewer highway :It reduces accidents caused by snow and ice;there is less sand build-up on the roadway after a storm;the reduction of sand means there is also less damage tovehicle Quality:It does not add air pollutants to theenvironment like sand does.

4 Its use actually helps reducethe pollution caused by sand since CDOT is able to dra-matically decrease the amount of sand used on Quality:Sand use can cause more sediment instreams, liquid de-icers have little or no sediment and areless damaging to vegetation and waterways than sand and salt. Tip: Wash your vehicle after snow storms to remove anyliquid de-icer From ExpertsColorado s Winter Driving experts are the Departmentof Transportation maintenance professionals who patroland clear the highways. They offer the following tips andadvice based on their years of experience:1. Slow down in Winter Driving conditions. Most accidents are caused by Driving too fast for Use your low-beam headlights in bad weather, especially where snow is falling heavily or t use your cruise control in slippery road ice and snow from windows, mirrors, and vehicle lights, both front and rear, as often as matter how far you are Driving and no matter whatthe weather conditions, always wear your seat extra room between your vehicle and the oneahead of you in poor visibility and slippery safest place in bad weather is a safe distancebehind a snowplow, where you will find the clearestroad and the best possible.

5 Avoid Driving at all in bad weather home until the weather improves and the roads A road that has been treated with liquid de-icer may be wet and slippery. It s important to watch your speed, particularly around curves and in InformationIn avalanche-prone mountain areas, roads may betemporarily closed due to high avalanche inconvenient, these closures are intended toprotect public safety. Roads will be reopened onlywhen they are determined safe for November to April, current information onmountain weather, snow, and avalanche conditionsmay be obtained by calling the Colorado AvalancheInformation Center at DefinitionsRoad Closure- It is unsafe and unlawful to drivepast a road closure at any time for any Snow Warning- Snow accumulations of 6 inches or more within 12 hours or 8 inches or morewithin 24 hours are expected at lower elevations, with8 inches or more in 12 hours and 12 inches or morein 24 hours expected in mountain Storm Warning- Heavy snow is expected.

6 Aggravated by blowing and drifting Warning- Sustained or frequent windgusts of 35 mph or more for at least 3 hours, reducingvisibility to less than 1/4 mile, are or Stranded?If you get stuck on a snowy road, or your carslides off the road, the following guidelines will helpyou decide what course of action to the road ahead is clear and your car can bedug out, use your shovel and traction mat orsand to free the vehicle. Ease the vehicle outgently and steadily to avoid spinning the tires. the road ahead is not clear or you slid off theroad, and there is no shelter in sight, you arestranded. Do not leave your vehicle it is youronly certain source of shelter. Be sure the vehicleexhaust is clear of snow and keep a window slight-ly open for ventilation.

7 Run the vehicle only afew minutes at a time in order to stay warm. Dressin layers for warmth and cover your entire body witha blanket or sleeping bag. If there are two or morepersons, huddle together for you are stranded, do not panic. CDOT maintenance crews will be working to open thehighways and look for stranded motorists. If youare stranded on a secondary or backcountry road, remain in the shelter of your vehicle untilthe storm passes so that you can be spotted orcan proceed safely on foot. COLORADO Winter Driving HANDBOOKI ncluding: Driving tips Snowplow Safety Tire & Chain Laws Information SourcesBE PREPARED FOR WINTERC olorado s Winter Driving conditions can changefrom sunny to blowing snow within an hour ortwo.

8 Be prepared at all times, and especially inwinter. Know road conditions, know your vehicle, use proper Driving techniques for theconditions you find, and have the right emergencygear and equipment along. This brochure providesinformation to help Driving BASICSBe sure your vehicle is in good working sure that it is thoroughly checked and all itemson the following checklists have been CHECKLIST Wiper Washer Fluid Antifreeze Lights Fuel System Ignition Exhaust System Brakes Battery Heater/Defroster Tire TreadWiper BladesSAFETY CHECKLIST Flares/Reflectors Chain/Tow Strap Blanket First Aid Kit Shovel Nonperishable Food Scraper Tire Chains Sleeping Bag Batteries Jumper Cables Matches/Lighter/Candle Snow Brush Flashlight Coat/Gloves/Hat Sand/Traction Mats ROAD CONDITION NUMBERSFor current road information.

9 Call 303-639-1111in the Denver Metro area or outside Denver but within Colorado, call toll free877-315-ROAD. You may also visit the ColoradoDepartment of Transportation web site TipsTire/Chain GuidelinesIn some cases, drivers may face Winter travel prohibitionsunless vehicles, including passenger cars, sport utilityvehicles, and commercial vehicles, are equipped incertain ways. These could include any of the following: Snow tires having adequate tread design ordepth to provide sufficient traction Four-wheel drive vehicles with adequate tires Tire chainsTire chains are defined as metal chains or othertraction devices capable of providing traction equal toor exceeding metal chains under similar snow tires are legal in Colorado, but maynot be adequate for travel under extreme other states prohibit studded snow ofCOLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONPUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE4201 E.

10 ARKANSAS AVE., ROOM 277 DENVER, CO 80222