Winter weather often sneaks up on us when we least expect it. It is a good idea to plan
ahead and stock your vehicle with some basic supplies to help you in the event you
encounter bad weather.
This is an excellent time to prepare for winter storms. Make sure you pack the following items for your winter weather kit:
• Gloves
• A warm hat
• Boots
• Water
• Emergency food supply
• A flashlight with working batteries
• Windshield scraper and brush
• A warm blanket
• A shovel
Remember to inspect your vehicle and verify your winter weather kit before heading out
during the winter months. Being prepared will make a bad situation tolerable.
During bad weather it is best to stay off the roads, but for many of us that isn’t always an option. While winter driving may make some of us very nervous, there are others who will do just fine in bad conditions. These people are the ones who take time to slow down and avoid distractions while driving in bad weather. Use of the "3 second following rule" helps many drivers cope in harsh weather conditions. You should increase the distance if road conditions are wet or slippery.
The normal rule of thumb when using the 3 second following rule is to allow a 3 second
bubble of space between the front of your car and the rear of the vehicle in front of you.
Watch as the vehicle in front passes a fixed object, start counting "one-one thousand,
two-one thousand, and three-one thousand." Your car should not pass the fixed object
before you are done counting.
In bad weather add at least one second to the rule for every hazardous condition
encountered. If the roads are wet and it’s snowing, add a minimum of 2 seconds to the
rule and follow at no less than those 5 seconds.