With the holidays upon us and families are traveling to see family members. The weather can be a be factor on you trip. I found this excellent
article by SAS survival instructor Lofty Wiseman that I want to share. With the
snow and bad weather coming, your family’s safety should be a priority. At the
end I will provide a link to Lofty’s website for more great survival
information. Here is the article in its entirety,
WINTER DRIVING
by
Lofty Wiseman
It’s that time of year when
we can expect bad weather. Many drivers fear the conditions that they may have
to face, but being prepared will give you the best chance of avoiding any
mishaps. So as the temperature falls, our skill levels should rise, and if we
know what to expect, avoiding it if possible, or being able to deal with it
will keep us safe.
In the military we used to
complete a ‘Preventive Maintenance System’ check on the vehicle. This entailed
approaching the vehicle from 45 degrees so that each wheel can be seen. You are
looking for anything under or by the tires or anything hanging down like the
exhaust or a brake cable. As you get closer, look underneath to see if there
are any leaks or dripping fluids. Walk around the vehicle checking the tires
and noticing any damage to the body. Lift the bonnet and check all fluid levels
including oil, brake fluid, and radiator. Make sure the screen wash bottle is
topped up. Start the engine and look for any signs of leaks, and listen for any
unusual noises. A loose fan belt will squeak and a blown exhaust will sound
loud.
Get in the car with the
engine still running and check all gauges ensuring no warning lights are
showing. The fuel gauge is often overlooked and it’s not until you are running
out of fuel that this is noticed. Always keep the vehicle filled up. As soon as
the gauge registers half, fill it up. I know that some people in inner cities
only put the minimum of fuel in, so if the car is stolen it cannot travel far.
Running a tank down to empty can allow the deposits found in most fuel tanks to
block filters causing misfires and cause difficult starting problems. Fewer
miles to the gallon can be expected in winter due to longer warming up times,
traffic delays and wheel slippage on snow.
Never drive with a dirty
windscreen. It’s a big temptation when the glass is covered in frost to just
clear the minimum area. Clear the whole screen while the engine is warming up.
Don’t leave a running engine unattended. A lot of people start the car and go
back indoors. This is an open invitation to any shady character to steal the
car. Ensure your wiper blades are in good condition and the screen bottle has a
good quality wash fluid that will not freeze up. Wiper blades can be destroyed
when they are frozen to the windscreen. Don’t switch them on till the screen is
defrosted. Check all lights and indicators before driving off.
The battery comes in for a
hard time in cold weather. The increased use of lights and heaters can place
additional demands on the cars charging system. Short journeys can drain a
battery as it doesn’t have sufficient time to recharge.
Regardless of what car you
drive, a Ferrari, pick up, or 4x4, the only contact you have with the road is
your tires. If these are worn, traction, road holding and braking distances are
severely affected. Check the pressures regularly using an accurate gauge not
just the eyes. Have a dust cap on each valve as snow can freeze here and
deflate a tire.
Always plan your journey
even if it’s only short. Check the route on a map and look for any natural
bottleneck or choke point. Rivers and railway lines form hazards which have to
be bridged, these can lead to hold ups. The time of day is important as you may
wish to avoid school times, or events; like pop concerts or football matches,
adding to the traffic. Take in consideration the weather as wet or foggy
conditions can add a lot of time to your journey.
Take a weather forecast as
this will help you select the best route. If heavy rain is expected keep away
from low lying areas. Mist and fog will be found by water courses. As the sun
sets it can be blinding at this time of year if heading west. This should get
you thinking of sun glasses.
A mobile phone should be
part of your emergency equipment but make sure you have the means of charging
it. The vehicle hand book should be kept in the glove compartment and can be
referred to in an emergency. In a traffic jam it may be the only thing
available to read. It’s good to know all about your car, and it makes a good
fire lighter if things get real serious.
You may find it more
comfortable wearing light shoes for driving and wearing the minimum amount of
clothing, but be prepared for an emergency. Carry a pair of stout boots or
wellingtons in case you have to leave the car. Extra socks, jersey and heavy
coat will keep you warm. A hat is essential as a lot of heat is lost through
the head and a scarf and gloves are recommended.
Always carry a bottle of
water in the car as a dry throat or tickling cough can prove very tiresome. In
cold weather a thermos flask containing either sweet tea or coffee is
invaluable. Stow this somewhere so it does not roll about the floor. Never have
anything in the driver’s foot well. A bottle can easily roll under the pedals
preventing the brake being activated.
High energy snacks like
chocolate, granola bars are most welcome on a long journey .Personally I always
carry mints which I suck for as long as possible. It’s good if you have
children on board to turn this into a contest. The one who keeps their sweet
the longest is the winner. This certainly keeps them quiet.
A first aid kit is an
important part of your car kit and should never be omitted. Even if you have
not got the knowledge to use it, other people can, and everyone will benefit.
What you carry will largely depend on your medical knowledge or any specific
ailment that you may suffer from. Headaches, travel sickness, upset stomachs
and diarrhea are all part of fun of traveling. Some eating places are not
always the cleanest and can cause digestive disorders. Plasters and bandages
are always useful and a pair of scissors and needle and thread can be included
for any emergency involving a torn dress or broken zip.
A packet of tissues
especially moist wipes all help to make the journey more pleasurable. Have a plastic
bag available to put all the rubbish in and empty this at a designated area.
Never throw anything out of the window; this includes biodegradable rubbish
like apple cores. Cigarette butts are a fire hazard, so if you have to smoke,
extinguish them in the ashtray.
When driving heed the road
signs they are all there to help you. You can also read other signs such as mud
on the road that may announce a tractor in front. Broken branches can be the
result of a tall lorry. Cars approaching with lights on have probably just come
through fog so interpret these signs.
Drive as smooth as possible
when the road is slippery due to rain or ice. Don’t make any sudden movements
like braking hard or swerving. Slow down approaching a bend and do all the
braking in a straight line. Leave extra room behind the car you are following
and stay in their tracks. If you are not sure about anything or are worried,
stop. Find a convenient place to pull over and assess the situation. Pay
attention to your gut feeling, don’t go on driving blindly.
Speed is the main cause of
accidents so be aware of your progress. Everyone can drive fast but only a few
can stop fast. So enjoy the holiday and take care
A Very Merry Christmas to all.
John
"Lofty" Wiseman.
Trueways Survival
Expert.Lofty Wiseman's website
No comments:
Post a Comment