ARTICLES

Defensive Driving
Submitted by Chuck Belveal, Safety and Health Manager

What is a safe following distance? At 50 miles per hour, you are moving at about 75 feet per second. Ask yourself: “Do you have enough following distance to stop in time to avoid a crash?”

The National Safety Council recommends a minimum three-second following distance with an additional second added for adverse or hazardous driving conditions, like heavy traffic and poor weather or visibility. If your speed is higher than 60 miles per hour, you will need to add extra following distance between the vehicle ahead and your vehicle. The higher the speed, the more distance it takes to stop your vehicle.

To find the right following distance, begin counting when the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, such as an underpass or a billboard. Count, one-thousand-and-one, one-thousand-and-two, one-thousand-and-three. Your vehicle should not pass the fixed object until after you have finished counting.

Safe Winter Driving
Submitted by Chuck Belveal, Safety and Health Manager

Winter driving can be hazardous and scary, especially in northern regions that get a lot of snow and ice. Additional preparations can help make a trip safer, or help motorists deal with an emergency, OSHA states.

The Three P’s of safe winter driving: prepare for the trip, protect yourself and prevent crashes on the road.

Prepare

• Maintain your car: Check battery, tire tread, and windshield wipers, keep your windows clear, put no-freeze fluid in the washer reservoir and check your antifreeze.
• Brakes: brakes should provide even and balanced braking. Also check that brake fluid is at the proper level.
• Cooling system: ensure a proper mixture of 50/50 antifreeze and water in the cooling system at the proper level.
• Electrical system: check that battery is fully charged and that connectios are clean. Check that the alternator belt is in good condition with proper tension.
• Engine: inspect all engine systems.
• Exhaust system: check exhaust for leaks and that all clamps and hangers are snug.
• Tires: Check for proper tread depth and no signs of damage or uneven wear. Check for proper tire inflation.
• Oil: Check that oil is at proper level.
• Visibility systems: inspect all exterior lights, defrosters (windshield and rear window), and wipers. Install winter windshield wipers.

Also carry an emergency kit in the vehicle with the following items:

• Blankets/ sleeping bags
• Cellular telephone or two-way radio
• Windshield scraper
• Snow brush
• Flashlight with fresh/ extra batteries
• Extra winter clothes
• Shovel
• Tow chain
• Matches
• Traction aids (bag of sand or cat litter)
• Emergency flares
• Jumper cables
• Snacks
• Water
• Road maps

Plan Your Route
Check the weather and leave early if necessary. Be familiar with the maps/ directions and let other know your route and arrival time.

Practice cold weather driving. During sunlight, rehearse maneuver slowly on the ice or snow in an empty lot. Steer into a skid. Know what your brakes will do. Stopping distance are longer on water-covered ice. Don’t idle for a long time with the windows up or in an enclosed space.

Protect Yourself
Buckle up and use child safety seats properly. Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag. Children 12 and under are much safer in the back seat.

Prevent Crashes
Slow down and increase distances between cars. Keep your eyes open for pedestrians walking in the road. Avoid fatigue and get plenty of rest before the trip. Stop at least every three hours, and if rotate drivers if possible. Drugs and alcohol never mix with driving. If you are planning to drink, designate a sober driver.

What should I do if a winter storm strands me in my vehicle?
Stay in the vehicle. Do not leave to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards. You may become disoriented and lost in blowing and drifting snow. Display a trouble sign by hanging a brightly colored cloth on the radio antenna and raising the hood. Turn on the vehicle’s engine for about 10 minutes each hour and run the heat to keep warm. Also, turn on the vehicle’s dome light when the vehicle is running as an additional signal. Beware of carbon monoxide positioning. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and open a downwind window slightly for ventilation. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Do minor exercises to keep up circulation. Clap hands and move arms and legs occasionally. Try not to stay in one position for too long. If more than one person is in the vehicle, take turns sleeping. For warmth, huddle together. Use newspapers, maps, and even the removable car mats for added insulation. Avoid overexertion since cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a vehicle can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse. Be aware of symptoms of dehydration.

SOURCE: OSHA www.osha.gov