- Check the weather before you head out | If you are going on a long trip or commuting home, check the forecast for your departure, destination, and various points along the way. If the weather forecast looks particularly bad, you may want to postpone the drive until a later time or leave early. Call 511 for road conditions. Go to www.Arh.Noaa.Gov for current Alaska weather details.
- Tell others about your plans | Use basic “journey management”. Tell a family member, friend, or neighbor where you are going and what route you will be taking. Let someone at your destination know an approximate arrival time. That way, if you are overdue, someone will know that you may have run into difficulties and need help.
- Give yourself extra time | It usually takes longer to get where you are going in the winter.
- Slow down while driving | Be careful heading through intersections. Others might not be able to stop; be prepared to act!
- Leave more space between vehicles | Inadequate following distance is the primary cause of rear-end collisions.
- Keep windows and mirrors clear | Have a good scraper to clear off ice and snow before you drive. If you don’t have an ice scraper in your car, a credit card can work in a pinch.
- Always drive with your lights on | Lights make you more visible to others and improve your visibility. Clear away snow and ice on lights before your start driving.
- Keep ample fuel your tank | Make a point of keeping at least a half tank of gas in the vehicle at all times.
- Have good snow tires on your vehicle | Proper tires help you maintain control on snow and ice.
- Maintain your vehicle | Proper maintenance reduces the chance of a breakdown.
