Winter is quickly approaching and in some areas of Alaska snow is already on the ground. It’s time to prepare yourself and your vehicle for cold temperatures and streets covered in ice and snow.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Aside from annual maintenance, there are many ways to enhance the safety of your vehicle during winter. As the temperature drops so does battery power; test your car battery to ensure it’s holding power well. Check your wiper blades, replacing if needed, and add wiper fluid rated for -30 degrees.
Check tire pressure as this also drops as the temperature drops. If using all-season tires, check the tread on your tires and replace if less than 2/32 of an inch, but having winter tires with a deeper, more flexible tread put on your car is most ideal.
Prepare Yourself
It’s extremely important to be cold weather prepared in the event of an accident or your car breaking down. In Alaska, there can be many miles of highway between towns, some with very little traffic.
Having a cold weather kit prepacked and ready in your car can be the difference of whether or not you are warm while you wait for help. Pack a full set of winter gear including warm socks, boots, snow pants, a jacket, gloves or mittens, and a hat. Using disposable hand-warmers and a space blanket can also help to maintain warmth. Always have first aid and emergency response kits readily available in your car.
Drive Safely
Remember to give yourself extra travel time in less-than-ideal weather conditions. Avoid using cruise control in wintry conditions and remember to accelerate and decelerate slowly. If you slide, steer in the direction of a skid, so when your wheels regain traction, you don’t have to over-correct to stay in your lane.
Increase your following distance to 8 to 10 seconds to allow you more time to avoid potential accidents. If possible, don’t stop when going uphill, as this can lead to being stuck on an icy patch, or worse, losing control and sliding backwards, downhill.
The Merdes Law Office has been helping Alaskans for more than 30 years. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do.
