In the winter months, traveling between Northern and Southern California can be challenging, as ice and snow make the state's main artery, Interstate 5, unmanageable. On the Monday following the New Year holiday, hundreds of drivers were stranded along the I-5 in Castaic due to road closures after a major winter storm. People returning from visiting family in cities and towns throughout the state were forced to camp in their cars or seek lodging at one of the area's inns. Others in the state ventured out into stormy weather and onto rain-slicked roads; some, unfortunately, were killed or injured in accidents.
The rain, snow, and sleet accompanying winter have contributed to a significant number of accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, recently released its Traffic Safety Facts for 2009. According to the agency, traffic accidents took the lives of 33,808 people and left another 2,217,000 injured. Rainy weather was a factor in 2,675 of the fatalities and 246,000 of the injuries. Accidents involving snow or sleet accounted for 660 of the fatalities and 44,000 of the injuries.
While driving during the winter can be dangerous, there are safety measures drivers can take. Here is a list of winter driving tips from NHTSA.
Properly maintain your vehicle. One of the worst times to break down is in cold or snowy weather. Ensure that your vehicle is in good condition by visiting a mechanic for a tune-up and routine maintenance. If traveling to a particularly cold place, you should have the battery and cooling system inspected. A battery requires more power to start a vehicle in the cold, so have the mechanic check its voltage and charging system. Coolant expands as it freezes and has the potential to seriously damage the car's engine block. A vehicle should not only have adequate levels of coolant but also a coolant that can withstand cold weather. In most cases, a 50/50 mix of coolant and water will suffice. The cooling system should also be inspected for leaks. Periodically, you should have the cooling system flushed, as dirt and rust particles that accumulate in old coolant can clog the system, causing it to fail.
Prevent poor visibility through the windshield and windows. Keep the windshield washer reservoir full, preferably with "no-freeze" fluid, and replace the blades on wipers when necessary. Make sure that the vehicle's window defrosters are working effectively.
Inspect your tires. During warmer weather, the air pressure of tires should be checked every month; however, as temperatures drop so does air pressure, about 1 PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit, so air pressure should be checked more often. Information concerning tire pressure can be found in the vehicle's owner's manual. The car should remain idle for a few hours before checking the air pressure of the tires. Check the tread of the tires; uneven wear or tread under 1/16 of an inch are indications that it is time to replace the tires.
Prior to setting out for a trip, check the weather conditions of the areas in which you will be traveling. If the weather and road conditions will be poor, consider postponing the trip until conditions are better. Use maps to route your trip and allow extra travel time. Maintain a full tank of gas in case you become stuck in a traffic jam or in the snow and need to keep warm.
The rain, snow, and sleet accompanying winter have contributed to a significant number of accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, recently released its Traffic Safety Facts for 2009. According to the agency, traffic accidents took the lives of 33,808 people and left another 2,217,000 injured. Rainy weather was a factor in 2,675 of the fatalities and 246,000 of the injuries. Accidents involving snow or sleet accounted for 660 of the fatalities and 44,000 of the injuries.
While driving during the winter can be dangerous, there are safety measures drivers can take. Here is a list of winter driving tips from NHTSA.
Properly maintain your vehicle. One of the worst times to break down is in cold or snowy weather. Ensure that your vehicle is in good condition by visiting a mechanic for a tune-up and routine maintenance. If traveling to a particularly cold place, you should have the battery and cooling system inspected. A battery requires more power to start a vehicle in the cold, so have the mechanic check its voltage and charging system. Coolant expands as it freezes and has the potential to seriously damage the car's engine block. A vehicle should not only have adequate levels of coolant but also a coolant that can withstand cold weather. In most cases, a 50/50 mix of coolant and water will suffice. The cooling system should also be inspected for leaks. Periodically, you should have the cooling system flushed, as dirt and rust particles that accumulate in old coolant can clog the system, causing it to fail.
Prevent poor visibility through the windshield and windows. Keep the windshield washer reservoir full, preferably with "no-freeze" fluid, and replace the blades on wipers when necessary. Make sure that the vehicle's window defrosters are working effectively.
Inspect your tires. During warmer weather, the air pressure of tires should be checked every month; however, as temperatures drop so does air pressure, about 1 PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit, so air pressure should be checked more often. Information concerning tire pressure can be found in the vehicle's owner's manual. The car should remain idle for a few hours before checking the air pressure of the tires. Check the tread of the tires; uneven wear or tread under 1/16 of an inch are indications that it is time to replace the tires.
Prior to setting out for a trip, check the weather conditions of the areas in which you will be traveling. If the weather and road conditions will be poor, consider postponing the trip until conditions are better. Use maps to route your trip and allow extra travel time. Maintain a full tank of gas in case you become stuck in a traffic jam or in the snow and need to keep warm.
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