What to keep in your car and how to drive safely in southwestern Illinois winter storm
Officials discourage any non-essential driving Thursday and Friday as severe winter weather hits the St. Louis metro area.
As of 12:30 p.m. Thursday, many St. Louis roads were listed as “partly covered” by the Missouri Department of Transportation, and several delays were also reported due to crashes and a stalled vehicle.
If you must venture out onto the roads, preparation and caution are key. Here’s what National Weather Service officials advise keeping in your vehicle, plus tips on how to minimize dangers while driving.
What to keep in your car in the winter
The NWS recommends keeping up on vehicle maintenance in the winter, especially checking your brakes, lights, battery, defroster, exhaust, heater, windshield wipers and cooling system.
Keep your gas tank at least half full and try to travel in a group of other vehicles when driving in more rural areas.
Your car’s winter survival kit should include:
Battery-powered radio
Tire chains
Booster cables
Shovel
Sand
Flashlight
Candles and matches
First aid kit
Non-perishable, high-calorie food
Extra clothing/blankets
Cell phone
NWS officials also recommend keeping up to date with weather conditions by checking the radio.
Tips for safer winter driving
Keeping in mind it is best to stay home in dangerous weather conditions when possible, AAA offers tips on how to minimize dangers when you must hit the road:
Drive slowly. You will likely have lower traction when traversing snow or ice, so adjust your speed accordingly.
Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface.
Accelerate and decelerate slowly to avoid skidding.
Increase your following distance to five to six seconds.
Know your brakes: Regardless of whether you have anti-lock brakes, keep your heel on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
Avoid stopping unnecessarily. It’s easier to get moving if you’re already rolling slowly as opposed to starting from a full stop. AAA advises drivers to slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, if possible.
Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snowy roads will just make your wheels spin, AAA says. Instead, try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that carry you to the top. When you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and go downhill slowly.
Don’t stop going up a hill.
What to do if you get stuck
If your vehicle stalls in a winter storm or blizzard, stay in your car and keep your radiator and exhaust pipe clear of snow. Don’t try to venture out into the snow, as you could get lost and will be without shelter.
The NWS advises motorists to not try to shovel their cars out or push them, as this can exhaust you and lower your resistance to the cold, possibly endangering your life.
When stranded in your car during a winter storm, run the motor and heater sparingly. Crack a window to provide ventilation and avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, and make sure ice does not seal off the windows and cut off air supply.
If you’re stuck in daylight, tie a colored cloth to your antenna if you have one. At night, turn on a flashlight or dome light frequently. If you have to leave your car, tie yourself to a lifeline to your vehicle as blizzard conditions can cause you to get lost only a few feet from your car.
If you’re alone, stay awake and alert. If you have other people with you, make sure at least one person is awake and alert at all times. Exercise your arms and legs to maintain blood circulation and keep your body temperature up.
This story was originally published December 22, 2022 at 1:34 PM.
