Winter Driving Safety Tips

Driving in the snow:

If you find yourself driving in the snow, stay alert, slow down and stay in control. These are the three key elements to safe driving in the snow.

Here are a few other tips for driving in the snow:

• If you think you may be heading into snow or there is a possibility of driving in the snow, make sure you do a maintenance check on your vehicle before making the trip. Check the vehicle battery, belts and hoses, anti-freeze, oil, lights, brakes, heater and defroster and check the exhaust system for leaks which may allow carbon monoxide to enter the vehicle.
• Plan your route ahead of time and give yourself extra travel time. Make sure someone knows your travel plans.
• Wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict your movement while at the wheel. Keep warm clothing available for when you exit the vehicle.
• Always clear any snow and ice from all windows, lights, mirrors and the roof before driving. After starting the vehicle wait for the interior windows to clear of fog so you will have appropriate visibility.
• Make sure there is sufficient windshield washer fluid in the vehicle reservoir and that it is rated for freezing temperatures.
• It takes longer to stop on slippery surfaces, so add additional time to the three-second rule.
• Know the proper handling procedures for a skidding vehicle.
• Slow down in snow and icy conditions, make turns slowly, and make all starts slow and smooth.
• Remember that bridges and overpasses may freeze before the regular travel lanes of a roadway. Watch out for black ice, areas of the roadway that appear black and shiny and where your vehicle can suddenly lose traction. Slow down in these areas and keep your foot off the brakes.
• If you get stuck or stranded, don’t panic. Stay with your vehicle for safety and warmth. Wait for help to arrive. If you have a cell phone and are in an area with cell phone service, try calling for help. Try to always know your exact locations while driving.
• Keep your clothing dry. Wet clothing can lead to dangerous loss of body heat.

Most older drivers are unaware of effects of prescription medication, AAA Foundation study finds

Only slightly more than a quarter of adults over age 55 are aware their medications have side effects that could impair their driving, a study found.

A study of older drivers concluded that barely a quarter of them were aware of the potential dangerous effects their medications can have on their driving, USA Today reported.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety interviewed 630 adults ages 56-93 about medications and driving. Only 28 percent of people knew that their medications could affect their driving ability, and the awareness of potential side effects decreased with age. Alarmingly, awareness dropped off around the same age that people increase the number of prescriptions they take, the paper said.

The AAA Foundation is a non-profit research group working to prevent traffic crashes and reduce injuries.

"We as a society are not getting the message to these older driver," Peter Kissinger, president and CEO of the AAA Foundation, told USA Today. "Health care professionals need to do a better job of educating patients. Family members of older drivers need to be much more engaged. They need to find out what medications their relatives are on, talk to a pharmacist if necessary. It's something that could avoid a catastrophe."

According to the AAA Foundation, the number of drivers age 55 and older will increase by more than half by 2030, USA Today stated.