And I would also add that if you're on unfamiliar country road and the visibility is so low that you have to look out the window to see road signs, it is safest to pull over into the shoulder and take shelter in your car until visibility improves. I would recommend these steps:
(1) If it is a road with some traffic, first attempt to have the passenger visually confirm a shoulder by sticking her head out the window and looking for the shoulder or another place to safely pull off the road.
(2) If you are the only car on the road, stop the car, turn on the four-ways, and walk out of the car to confirm the shoulder, how wide it is, and anything special that you will need to do to get your car off the road.
If you are on a country HIGHWAY and it has reasonably frequent exits (not spaced more than five miles apart), I recommend taking the nearest exit and looking to see if you can see a gas station, diner, etc. to go to. If not, simply pull over into the shoulder of the exit or the shoulder of the road the exit dumps you onto. Stay there until visibility improves.
As this story from Oregon demonstrates, it is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS to try to drive on a country road when visibility is low because of snow unless you know it like the back of your hand (even then it's sometimes not a great idea).
Also, as a resident of Minnesota I was always taught that in the winter, make sure your car is stocked with bottled water (it's okay if it freezes) and nonperishable food items like trail mix. If you get stuck in your car in a blizzard, it may not matter how far from civilization you are; it may be a while before anyone can help you. So always have provisions.
My car also always has a blanket and a small shovel in the trunk. The small shovel can be useful for people who live in snowy climes because even though it obviously can't dig your car out of major scrapes, if you get stuck and you discover that it's mainly one wheel or something, you CAN dig yourself out with it.
Yea, I stocked a blanket a while back and there's always a snow shovel in the car. (Living in the north does that to you :) I think some food and water would be good too.
BTW, the guy actually walked much further than everyone thought. The map used by the rescuers was in error... even though it didn't affect the search, it's still kind of bad... But anyway, he actually walked over 16 miles.
(1) If it is a road with some traffic, first attempt to have the passenger visually confirm a shoulder by sticking her head out the window and looking for the shoulder or another place to safely pull off the road.
(2) If you are the only car on the road, stop the car, turn on the four-ways, and walk out of the car to confirm the shoulder, how wide it is, and anything special that you will need to do to get your car off the road.
If you are on a country HIGHWAY and it has reasonably frequent exits (not spaced more than five miles apart), I recommend taking the nearest exit and looking to see if you can see a gas station, diner, etc. to go to. If not, simply pull over into the shoulder of the exit or the shoulder of the road the exit dumps you onto. Stay there until visibility improves.
As this story from Oregon demonstrates, it is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS to try to drive on a country road when visibility is low because of snow unless you know it like the back of your hand (even then it's sometimes not a great idea).
Also, as a resident of Minnesota I was always taught that in the winter, make sure your car is stocked with bottled water (it's okay if it freezes) and nonperishable food items like trail mix. If you get stuck in your car in a blizzard, it may not matter how far from civilization you are; it may be a while before anyone can help you. So always have provisions.
My car also always has a blanket and a small shovel in the trunk. The small shovel can be useful for people who live in snowy climes because even though it obviously can't dig your car out of major scrapes, if you get stuck and you discover that it's mainly one wheel or something, you CAN dig yourself out with it.
Reply
BTW, the guy actually walked much further than everyone thought. The map used by the rescuers was in error... even though it didn't affect the search, it's still kind of bad... But anyway, he actually walked over 16 miles.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment