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SAFE DRIVING TIPS
The cold facts on winter driving
Bulky clothes and fogged up windows can cause havoc
By Richard Russell
Thursday, January 29, 2004
What do belts, boots and recycling have in common? Your first guess might have something to do with getting rid of old clothing. But the answer we're looking for is winter driving.
The arrival of Old Man Winter brings with it a number of driving challenges - among them the importance of buckling up and ensuring we can see properly. While these two factors are important year-round, they take on added significance in winter when a number of factors sneak up on us.
We all know the proper way to wear seat belts and to properly install a child seat and the youngster in it. But along comes winter and with it several additional layers of clothing and the scene changes. With respect to child seats, it is quite common to bundle children in many layers of bulky warm material to protect them from the bitter cold.
Take a moment to take stock - does that added bulk change the way your child is positioned in his or her child seat? Does it raise their head or neck to a point where they might be hurt in a crash? Does the belt still hold the child firmly in place? Remember, the forces of a crash will severely compress that bulky material. Obviously the same holds true for a booster seat. Does the added clothing position your youngster differently?
Now take stock of your own situation and that of others in the vehicle with you. Do you fasten your seat belt around the outside of a bulky ski jacket? Will the belt ride up above the protection of your pelvis and onto the softer parts of your abdomen in a crash? What about the shoulder belt? Has it been repositioned to a point where it will no longer be effective? Don't just look at the belts as they are fastened over the clothing. Give them a firm tug and take time to figure out where they will contact the body under the violence of a crash.
Boots are handy for keeping your feet warm and for walking in deep snow or slush. But they can also change the way your feet interact with the pedals in a vehicle. It will come as no surprise to learn that snow and ice are slippery, but how often have you thought about what would happen if some of that slippery stuff got between your foot and the brake pedal? Sure it will melt off when the vehicle gets warm enough, but until then it can pose a serious risk.
And don't forget that after it melts into a little puddle directly beneath your feet and the pedals it will freeze into a nice little frozen and slippery ice pack when the vehicle is left out in the cold - waiting for your next visit. Also, with respect to boots - especially for those with large feet and/or those wearing heels - take a moment to check whether or not they interfere with the bottom of the instrument panel and any suspended or low wires, etc. Re-cycling or re-using is what you're doing when you have your ventilation system in the re-circulate position; you're re-using the air in the vehicle. While this might go a long way toward getting heat more quickly, it will also cause you to remove oxygen from the air and insert moisture with each breath. Before you know it your windows are fogged up with all that moisture and you're getting groggy from the lack of oxygen. Use the re-circulate position for the first few minutes only. Once you see any movement at all on the temperature gauge, switch over to fresh outside air - your windows, friends and family will appreciate it.
Allow a few extra minutes during the winter months for even the shortest drive. Use that time after starting the engine to clean ALL the snow off the roof, windows, hood, trunk and away from the lights. Take a moment to wipe the lights with some of that snow. And after a quick walk around to ensure that your vehicle's four snow tires are properly inflated, you're ready to get in and go.
Halifax-based Richard Russell operates the Advanced Driving Concepts driving school.
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