“The Polar Vortex” might sound like a plot device for the
latest science fiction disaster film; featuring Miley Cyrus as an improbable
quantum physicist, trying to save the world from some sort of frozen
apocalypse, with flashy special effects.
But the polar vortex is real and has had severe consequences for people
all over the United States. Schools were
canceled preemptively, businesses were closed; all for the second time this
winter, for the reason of expected steep sub-zero temperatures. And with good reason; no matter how bundled
up you are, the freezing temperatures that were achieved were such that it
posed an exceptional danger even to those taking precautions, which for many,
the benefit of braving just wasn’t worth the risk.
Then there were the logistics of those who still had to
travel; cold weather taxes even the most well maintained cars, and makes many
difficult, if not impossible to start.
School buses especially have a difficult time of it, running on diesel,
because the fuel is semi-solid and the colder it gets, the more it solidifies;
making those engines less likely to run.
The implications of the latest “cold snap” this time, extended well
beyond the typical confines of the more northern regions of the US; effecting
a-typical weather conditions in states like Texas and Georgia. The city of Atlanta was effectively shut down
for days, due to weather conditions that fell well outside the norm for that
region; producing several inches of snow, as well as icy road conditions.
For some who have a greater experience with these
conditions, this might seem fodder for jokes and quizzical stares. How can people not drive in two inches of
snow? But it’s easy to take for granted
the potential risks of road conditions that are to any degree, less than idea;
to say nothing of conditions that are outside one’s ken. In fact, many people who live in the more
variable climates can still often overlook the real caution and precaution
needed when driving on severe weather impacted roads. No matter how well experienced you are
driving on snow or ice, it only takes a split second, where the conditions of
the road aren’t given their full due; and you either end up in a ditch, or
colliding with another car on the road.
The reality that gets the greatest neglect though is that this is true
for any driver, at any time. There may
be some slight differences between the more extreme weather conditions that we
might be faced at any given time on the road, but the way in which an effective
driver manages those conditions, is
still effectively the same.
When you think of a road being “slick” or your car skidding
out of control, it’s easy to picture that happening because of an icy road; an
image easily envisioned now, at the height of the season those circumstances
might occur. It’s invariably the reason
why many drivers in Atlanta parked their cars on highways and in parking lots,
rather than proceed to drive to their destination, or attempt to get home. But this would overlook the equally real
danger posed by other road conditions; like when the roads are saturated with
rain, or covered in mud. Any time your
vehicle’s tires lose reliable, firm contact with the road, you risk losing
control of your vehicle; and the instant you do, what you do next will determine
if you regain control, or lose it entirely.
When you start to skid, take your foot off the gas and tap
the breaks lightly; don’t hold it down.
Your tires have lost enough contact with the road, that you’ve also lost
reliable traction; engaging the break fully locks the rear tires and makes them
less useful in controlling your vehicle.
Pumping the break at periodic intervals, bleeds off speed and helps you
regain traction. If your vehicle starts
to “fish tail,” where the back end swerves from one side to another – like a
swimming fish – you need to “steer into the skid,” turning the wheel back ever
so slightly towards the direction you want to go; making sure not to
overcorrect by cranking the wheel in the opposing direction, which can make the
loss of control worse.
We refer you to our previous blog, about what to do in the
event of an accident, found here; in the even an accident is unavoidable. Likewise, if your best effort to regain
control of you car does not succeed, and you end up stuck somewhere along side
the road, keep in mind the tips we listed our blog, Prepare Your Vehicle for
Winter. The second to last paragraph
brings up the idea of a emergency preparedness kit to keep in your car, for
circumstances caused by severe weather.
This type of kit can be useful for any type of weather and would be
advisable for drivers in any region.
Making sure to have a charged, emergency prepaid cellphone in your car,
ensures you have some way of contacting people in the case of an accident or
car trouble; even if your primary phone is dead or forgotten somewhere
else. Road flares and hazard signs help
signal to other traffic that you are in distress and may either need help, or
should at least yield to your presence on the side of the road, if the situation
is under control. (Aplusb Software
offers portable emergency signs in our online store.) Kitty litter also makes a great inclusion in
your preparedness kit, no matter the time of year, or part of the country you
live in. It can help melt ice, or absorb
moisture in the muddy terrain you might be stuck in; and either way can help
add traction under your vehicle’s tires, to aid it in moving forward.
Finally, the best way to know what to do when driving in
adverse weather conditions is to practice; and what better to get that sort of
experience under your (seat) belt, than practicing those conditions inside,
where it’s nice and warm? With our of
computer driving simulation SimuRide, available for both single monitor home
edition and 3 monitor professional edition; users can practice the full gamut
of driving conditions, include rain, snow, ice, fog and even a rock slide! Even if you fail to maintain control of the
virtual vehicle the first or even the second time; you remain perfectly safe
and sound, and you have no car that needs repair. And if there happens to be a Polar Vortex 3,
or even just other less than perfect road conditions; you’ll be prepared to
face those conditions as a more effective driver.
#DriveSafe
This entry was posted in Driver Training, Driving Safety.
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