Unfortunately, that's not always a possibility. I confess that there are many times in my life when I've driven somewhere in conditions that could only be described as "snow-laden mayhem". I've regretted the decision more than once.
Blizzard driving is horrible. Visibility is minimal and safety is minimal (not just because you can't see in front of you but because other people can't see in front of them). It seems like every year or two there's a news story about a huge pile-up of cars on a highway because of a blizzard.
If you HAVE to drive in a blizzard, here are some tips:
- Don't drive. Do whatever you can to avoid it.
- Call your destination before you leave and tell them when you're leaving and what route you're taking.
- Before you leave, depending on how long your trip is, make sure you have survival gear (including a parka and some candles), a shovel, and a charged cell phone.
- Check your fuel level. If you're on a long trip, top up your tank often. (I tell you this from experience).
- Test the roads before you leave. If the roads are even slightly icy, it could be worse with a layer of dusty snow on top of it.
- Turn off the radio. Focus. Put both hands on the wheel. Put the coffee down. Put the cell phone down.
- If necessary, open the windows slightly or turn the heater from "recirculate" to "vent". That will keep your windows from fogging up when you need all the visibility you can get.
- Don't stare into the blinding white snow. Look in front of your car and out over your hood. Chances are, you have better visibility lower to the ground because the car in front of you is kicking up snow from its wheels.
- From time to time (and only when safe to do so), get out and check that your head lights, air intake grill, and rear lights are not obstructed by snow.
- Maintain a steady rate of speed. Speeding up could cause a collision with the car in front. Slowing down could cause a collision with the car behind.
- Your high beams will probably be ineffective. Keep them on low. Maybe even use your four-way flashers.
- If you have to pull off the road, pull way, way, way off the road.
- If you are stranded, make sure that you and your car are out of harm's way. If you can leave your car running to stay warm, make sure that there isn't any snow plugging up your exhaust pipe. If you hail down another car, make sure that they pull off the road before helping you. If you have to stay in your car overnight, light a candle for warmth but open the windows slightly to clear the smoke.
