Safety offers tips for handling seasonal driving hazards Published Feb. 6, 2009 By Steve Serrette 72nd Air Base Wing Safety Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Safe driving is no accident. Each season of the year presents its own set of challenges. You may have moved to a new location in the country such as Oklahoma, because of a career change and may never have needed to worry about such challenges before. In any case, our safety tips for the winter season are designed to help you get through those seasons safely. As you may know it usually gets dark a whole lot earlier in the winter. Additionally there are weather related causes of accidents and incidents to be mindful of and then of course nature provides a mating season for North America's wildlife at this time of year as well. Add the hunting season to the mix in many parts of the country and the possibilities for surprises is endless. Slipping out for a drive can be scary It takes an additional 90 feet to stop a car on wet pavement travelling at 40 mph than it does on dry pavement. Lots of wet leaves add even more distance in the fall and winter months. In snow and ice you need to be even more cautious. Drive at a reasonable speed! If the car begins to skid the first thing to do is take your foot off of the gas immediately. Always leave enough room between your vehicle and those nearest to you to maneuver carefully. The momentum of the vehicle is necessary to carry you over steep hills and through turns, in snow and ice use the highest gear available that provides control. Never use the cruise control in slippery conditions. If your car has ABS (anti-lock braking system) you can apply your brakes as hard as you like. You may feel a pulsating in the brake pedal. The pulsating feeling is supposed to be there, the vehicle is performing as it is supposed to. Don't be alarmed. Remember what we said at the beginning of this section -- a lot more distance is needed to stop the vehicle, so be sure to allow for that. Most important when a skid begins or problems seem inevitable don't panic. Don't be afraid to use a snow bank as a part of the braking system if necessary. There are far fewer injuries and lots less property damage than would be experienced in a head-on with another vehicle or a brick wall. Having said that, remember on wet roads and roadways covered in wet leaves, it is better to take a detour through the cornfield than hit an oncoming vehicle or that same brick wall. Young trees make better stops than the ancient oaks. Learn from professional pilots Have a safety checklist in bad weather! Be sure your windshield wipers are in good working order. Make certain that all lights are operating as they should be; brake lights, headlights, taillights, turn signals and high beams. Set your mirrors for optimum vision before you pull out onto the road. Check your fuel. A full tank of gas is very heavy and the extra weight helps with traction control. If you know the vehicle is very light, consider adding some sandbags or concrete blocks in the back end over the wheel well areas. Don't tailgate and don't speed! Check your fluids Does the washer system have enough cleaner to keep your windshield clean? Is there plenty of antifreeze? Does the radiator have a full system so it doesn't overheat if you get stuck behind an accident, or caught in a tie up for a long period of time? Trunk safety item check list Consider, if you don't already do so, keeping the following items in the trunk; safety flares, jumper cables (in case you leave the lights on too long), and a spare tire and jack. Even if it isn't possible for you to change a tire, if necessary, you will have what you need so someone else can assist you. A gallon jug of water, at least one blanket, a bag of sand or kitty litter for traction, a snow shovel or folding shovel, spare gloves and boots, snow scraper with a brush and long handle or small broom, and extra windshield cleaner all come in handy if you are seriously stranded. Don't drink and drive All too often, during the various holidays folks that don't otherwise imbibe alcohol and operate motorized vehicles do. Just don't. Enough said. The greatest number of auto accidents, occur between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. This is partly due to drivers becoming over tired, poor visibility and increased natural hazards as we discussed previously. Buckle up always Remember those ads where the 9-pound baby without a seatbelt accelerates at the rate and weight of the 450-pound Sumo wrestler? It is true. Everyone should be wearing a seatbelt. It is also a great idea to buckle up or restrain pets. In most states today it is the law, so be sure you and all of your passengers buckle up.