Winter Weather Driving Tips

Reprinted from NCDOT: http://www.ncdot.gov/travel/safetytips/default.html

Winter Weather Driving

If travel is absolutely necessary, motorists should use the following precautions:

·  Clear windows and mirrors;

·  Reduce speed and leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles;

·  Maintain a safe following distance behind brine application trucks, and plow and spreader trucks;

·  Bridges and overpasses accumulate ice first. Approach them with extreme caution and do not apply your brakes while on the bridge;

·  If you begin to slide, take your foot off the gas and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide. Do not apply the brakes as that will cause further loss of control of the car;

·  If you have a cellular phone, take it with you; you can contact the Highway Patrol statewide by calling HP (*47) or call the county emergency center by dialing 911; and

·  Come to a complete stop or yield the right of way when approaching an intersection where traffic lights are out. Treat this scenario as a four-way stop.

How NCDOT prioritizes what roads are to be cleared first:

·         The department gives first priority to clearing interstates and four-lane divided primary routes that are essential to the movement of intrastate and regional traffic. After these roads are clear, priority moves to clearing lower-volume primary roads, high-volume secondary roads, lower-volume secondary roads, then subdivision streets.

How NCDOT works with county and local governments to coordinate road clearing efforts:

·         Many municipalities maintain DOT system streets normally and during winter weather events they will also incorporate state roads into their snow removal plans. County governments do not remove snow on highways.

How NCDOT responds to weather conditions:

·         NCDOT works closely with the National Weather Service and receives forecasts directly from their meteorologists.

·         During a winter storm, county maintenance crews in affected areas are typically on standby around the clock to monitor changing weather conditions and treat roads.

Interesting Facts:

·         Small dump trucks hold 7 tons of salt and larger dump trucks hold 8-9 tons of salt

·         120,000 tons of salt = 1.27 billion salt shakers

·         40,000 tons of salt is enough salt to fill up 5,714 dump trucks and 426 million salt shakers

·         Each dump truck is 19.5 feet long and if you lined them up end to end, the line would extend for 21 miles

For the latest information on road conditions, call 511 or

access the Traveler Information Management System (TIMS).

Most of all, Be Safe Everyone!

Keep a warm jacket, blanket, flares, and a safety kit in your vehicle. Just in case.

Keep it between the lines - and on the road,

Happy Motoring

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Driving in the Wet Weather - Safety Tips

Reprinted from NCDOT: http://www.ncdot.gov/travel/safetytips/default.html

Wet Weather Driving

Heavy rain and flash flooding create hazardous driving conditions, thereby increasing the likelihood of an accident. To help improve safety and reduce the likelihood of a crash, motorists should take the following precautions:

• Allow more travel time and keep vehicle tires and brakes in good working condition. Buckle your own seat belt and secure children in child safety seats or booster seats in the back of the vehicle;
• Reduce your speed and drive defensively. Motorists should drive at least five to 10 miles per hour slower on wet pavement and allow at least twice the normal following distance between cars to provide ample room for stopping. Keep a distance between your car and the one in front of you. Be ready for a sudden stop. Remember that the driver behind you cannot see well either. Signal for turns ahead of time and brake early as you near a stop. Be patient and do not pass lines of traffic;
• Stay in the car and wait for the heavy rain to let up. Roads are the slickest once rain has begun to fall, especially if it has not rained for a while. For the first 10 to 15 minutes, the rain combines with dirt, dust, oil, grease and rubber to create a slippery surface. If the rain is extremely heavy, stop and pull over with your emergency flashers on, away from any trees or other tall objects. If motorists must exit the vehicle, they should do so on the passenger side of the car;
• Turn on your low beam headlights and use the defroster to increase visibility whether it is day or night. North Carolina law states that motorists must use their headlights at all times while using windshield wipers regardless of the time of day. High beams, or “brights,” could reflect off the fog and decrease visibility;
• If possible, stay in the middle lane. Most American roads are higher in the middle, so there is a greater chance of water runoff and standing water in the side lanes;
• After driving through a puddle, tap your brake pedal to help dry your brake rotors. Try to avoid pools of standing water; they could be hiding holes in the pavement. Do not try to cross running water;
• It is best to take shelter and wait out the storm at a rest stop or other public place. If you take shelter under an overpass or bridge, park on the shoulder and be careful not to block traffic. The weather could reduce visibility, and other drivers may have difficulty seeing your vehicle;
• Do not drive through flooded areas. If you see a flooded roadway ahead, turn around and take an alternate route to your destination. If there is no alternate route, head to higher ground and wait for the water to subside. Do not attempt to cross over a flooded road even if it seems shallow. Just one foot of water can float many vehicles, while two feet of rushing water can carry away vehicles including SUVs and pick-ups;
• Do not drive if you are tired or distracted. Driving in wet weather requires you to be alert, particularly at night. If you are tired, pull off the road to a safe place and take a break, or better yet, postpone your trip. You should also avoid eating, drinking, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, or handing items to children in the back seat – anything requiring you to take one or both hands off the steering wheel momentarily;
• Know what to do if your car begins to hydroplane. Hydroplaning occurs when your tires glide across the surface of the water on the road. If your car starts to hydroplane, take your foot off the gas, but do not stomp on the brakes. Instead, apply the brakes in a steady, slightly firm manner, and steer in the direction of the skid. If you have a manual transmission (i.e. stick shift), push in the clutch and let the car slow down on its own. If you have an automatic transmission, hold the steering wheel steady and lightly apply the brakes. For cars that have anti lock brakes, you should apply more pressure (steady) to the brakes, but avoid pumping them; and
• Put together a supply kit for your trunk. Include a flashlight, first aid kit with an instructional manual, blanket, booster cables, shovel, sand to give tires needed traction, snacks and drinking water, and safety flares or an orange or red cloth to tie to the antenna.

Watch Out for the DEER!

While a crash involving a deer can happen at any time, the majority of deer-vehicle collisions occur between the months of October and December, when deer activity increases due to the mating and hunting seasons. Incidents are most common during the hours of 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., when deer movement increases and limited lighting makes it more difficult for motorists to see them on or near roads.

NCDOT offers the following suggestions for motorists to avoid being in a deer-vehicle collision:

• Slow down in posted deer crossing areas and heavily wooded areas, especially during the dark hours of fall;
• Drive with high beams on, when possible, and watch out for eyes reflecting in the headlights;
• Remember that deer often travel in groups, so do not assume that all is clear if one deer has already passed; and
• Do not swerve to avoid contact with deer. This could cause the vehicle to flip or veer into oncoming traffic, causing a more serious crash.

May your driving to and from be safe and secure. Drive defensively, and please watch out for the other guy, you never know what they will do.

Keep it between the lines,
Happy motoring.