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California/Nevada Safe Winter Driving In Ice &
Snow
With the mild climate in most of California, many drivers aren’t used to some harsher winter driving. You may even encounter frozen water on road services in non-snow areas. Often called “black ice,” it is not visible to drivers. Icy roads make it difficult to steer and to stop. Slow down gradually when you approach curves and stops. Beware of icy spots especially on bridges and in sheltered areas. Leave a little more room around your vehicle.
Before
your trip:
Plan Your Trip
Well-traveled roads are usually better maintained for winter driving.
Allow more time for winter driving.
Start early and give yourself plenty of time.
Let someone know where you are going, when you are leaving and when you
expect to return.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Be sure that your heater and defroster, windshield wipers,
and brakes are in good condition. Fill
your wiper reservoir with a solvent that has anti-freeze properties.
Have your anti-freeze checked for colder weather.
Have the tire tread depth and air pressure checked at a reputable tire
shop for snow country driving. .
Be sure that the exhaust
system is in good shape, clear to the tail pipe. Holes in the pipes can let fumes go up into the passenger
compartment, and you are less likely to have an open window during snow country
driving.
Items to Bring
Snow chains, flashlight, ice scraper, gloves.
You may also want a shovel and broom, should your car get snowed in.
Drinking water, snacks and blankets may come in handy.
Snow Chains
If this is your first time using chains, practice putting them on in your
garage or driveway. It is a little
more difficult to learn how to do it on a cold, wet winter road than to get the
“hang of it” on a dry run. You
also will find if the chains do fit. Sometimes
the box says they will – but they don’t.
During
the trip
Turn your headlights on in bad weather. Use well-traveled routes and allow plenty of time for arrival. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order and filled with fuel. You may have to wait in traffic (with heater running) or turn back. Check often for current weather reports through the various media sources before you travel. Then, keep the radio on. Weather conditions change rapidly, so do the road conditions.
Write this number or keep this
article. California Road Conditions
1-800-427-7623 (ROAD). It is easy to check on road conditions in
California from any phone 24 hours a day.
Black
ice is often worse in late evening and early morning when the water from the
melted snow has re-frozen on the roads. Bridges,
overpasses, or shady parts of the road can have ice when the rest of the road
doesn’t. Remember, no sudden
turns or stops! Be buckled up,
drive slower and leave more room around you.
Be
sure you carry chains with you when going to snow country. You can be turned
around or fined by the Highway Patrol if you don’t have chains.
You can pay chain installers or you can put them on yourself.
CALIFORNIA CHAIN REQUIREMENTS
R1
Chains or snow tread tires required
(6/32” required for M&S on side of tire)
R2
Chains required on all vehicles
except 4WD w/ snow tread tires.
R3
Chains required – all vehicles
– no exceptions. The highway is
usually closed before R3
Installing
chains This is where
you can be glad that you practiced in your driveway. Be sure that you are parked
in a safe place, and that the car will not roll.
You may need to get on your knees. To
keep dry, put a piece of cardboard down on the ground.
Put your gloves on, and lay the chains in front of the traction tires. If
you have a front wheel drive vehicle, they go on the front wheels; a rear wheel
drive vehicle needs them on the
rear. Be sure the roughest part of
the chains face the road, and the smoother side faces the tires.
Hook the inside first, then the outside.
RE-tighten both. Drive
forward about six feet and re-check the fit.
The speed limit with chains is 25 or 30 miles per hour.
When driving around snow removal equipment,
|
1) Maintain your distance to avoid collisions and damage from flying sand and salt. |
|
2)
Move your vehicle to the left of your lane so the equipment operator can
see you in the mirror. |
|
3)
Snowplows cause soft snow to swirl, making it difficult to see the
plow and for the plow operator to see you. |
|
4)
Snowplows usually leave a ridge of snow, making passing hazardous. |
|
5)
Turn on your headlights and windshield wipers for additional visibility. |
|
6)
Snow removal equipment may have to slow down, stop or back up. Beware! |
|
7)
Do not pass until the snowplow reaches a clear area. |
|
8)
Plowing snow on a multi-lane roadway is often done in tandem (more than
one snowplow at a time). Give them plenty of room. Do not pass on the
right side and stay where the operator can see you. |
Parking
in snow country: Many leave the parking brake ( emergency brake
) released so it will not freeze set. If
you do, put the vehicle in gear and
block a tire to keep from rolling. Be
sure that you are not blocking snow removal equipment (it will be posted).
They can fine you, tow you, bury you, or even worse hit you!
Have plenty of fuel for the trip back, and leave early to
avoid the major traffic. Enjoy many
safe trips to the snow!
Snow Tire Requirements For All States