FORT HOOD, Texas - If you don’t like the weather in Central Texas, there’s an old piece of advice to use: Wait five minutes and it’ll change.
But what you get might not be what you were planning for. Even as the winter draws to a close, cold weather can rain on your plans and make travel a risky proposition.
Precipitation during the day can freeze overnight, making roads unsafe for those not used to driving in winter conditions. Add in travelling through installation gates, other cars on the road and dealing with the unexpected, and driving in winter becomes dangerous.
However, the first steps to keeping you safe on the road are often the easiest. James Doherty and Michael Hampton, from the III Corps safety office, gave a few tips to stay safe during the changing weather.
Be Prepared: Especially on a military base where Soldiers, civilians and Family members come from all over the world, knowledge about the conditions is the first and most effective method of safety. Check the weather reports frequently, especially if you plan to drive out of the area. Also check the roads before you travel to prepare for closures and detours along your route. Remember to check the weather later on, as weather can change quickly and without much notice.
Make sure your vehicle is also ready for the trip. Ensure your tires are properly inflated and maintained, your brakes work correctly and your car is in shape before you start on the roads, especially if leaving the immediate area. Take the time to assess the risks of the trip and find ways to reduce those risks before you travel, otherwise you might find yourself in a bad situation.
Drive to conditions: Icy and slick roads might not appear slick at first, but can cause you to lose control of your car at a critical moment.
When the road conditions worsen, make sure to drive with the conditions. Slow down, increase the spacing between your car and others, and keep your attention on the road. Try to minimize distractions while you drive, so you can focus on keeping your car on the road and out of trouble.
If you do find yourself in a skid, there are two immediate actions to take. First, turn your wheel in the opposite direction of your skid. If your car slides to the passenger side turn the wheel to the driver’s side to compensate, and vice versa. This keeps your car from sliding sideways, allowing you to straighten out once you’ve regained traction. Secondly, ‘tap’ or ‘pump’ your brakes by applying even pressure to the brake pedal in intervals. This keeps your car’s wheels from locking up when stopping and adds to the control of your vehicle.
Remember the Basics: Don’t text and drive, as it forces your eyes off the road and can lead to accidents. Even if you react, poor road conditions mean you won’t stop as quickly, can’t turn as sharply and make it harder to adjust to situations on the road.
| Date Taken: | 03.02.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.03.2015 12:18 |
| Story ID: | 155796 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Don’t slip with weather safety, by SSG Cody Harding, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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