How can we drive safe with weather that is out of control?

Question

What are some things we need to leave in the car for emergencies? ? ?

Answer 1

I am a truck driver and there are many things that I carry in my truck for safety. Flashlight, spare clothes, emergency first aid kit, fire extinguisher, highway flares and triangles, flashing strobe using a D cell battery, juice and extra food such as peanuts and granola bars, power supply that plugs into a lighter socket for emergency cell phone, tv, or laptop...and other things. As a truck driver I have had to drive (not by choice) on black Ice, Freezing Rain, Snow, Compact Ice and through snow squalls. None of these are pleasant, but here is my advice. When driving through snow, stay at a slow, but moderate pace well behind anyone else. Do not slam on your brakes at all costs because you will slide. It is best to determine what kind of snow you are driving on...wet snow is always the best as you will still have some traction and can always tell it is there with the dirt and spray. Black Ice is usually waiting in the early hours of the morning (4am-7am) when the temperature is rising and the roads are wet. The best way to gauge black ice is to watch the spray from another persons tires. If they are not spraying anything from their tires and the road appears wet or slick, you may be on Black Ice. Again do not slam on your brakes. Allow the car to slow itself down. If you feel the car sliding then give it a little fuel to keep yourself straight, and downshift your vehicle to second gear and third or low gear on a automatic. Freezing rain can be seen when you look at your mirrors. Most truck drivers can see their antennas or their mirrors iced up. When this occurs, go slow. The road is usually iced up along the way. Again slow your vehicle with gravity and not brakes. If you feel the sliding affect, then turn your wheels the opposite way and usually the car will take itself straight again. Snow squalls make it very difficult to see. It is like a wind pushing snow everywhere and visibility may be limited to 10 feet or less. The best thing to do is go slow and watch for traffic ahead very carefully so you do not rear end anyone. Use your 4 way flashers and get off the highway or road in a safe spot. Most of the above conditions will require you to leave the road at the earliest time for safety. If in doubt, when weather is bad...stay home.

Answer 2

I just find driving slow works. I drive like an 80 year old lady if there's even a little bit of snow on the road, haha. Also, leaving a window scraper, first aid kit, shovel, blankets, and some water (if you're stranded ) so you don't dehydrate.

Answer 3

All theses questions about snow and what to carry -  nobody ever mentions a shovel.

Answer 4

Your first aid kit should include:

Adhesive tape

Sterilized gauze bandage

Sterilized gauze pads

Plastic band strips

Disinfectant salve, Mercurochrome, Merthiolate, or iodine

Small scissors

Aspirin or other pain relievers

Tweezers

Something to relieve itching, burning eyes

Hand sanitizer

A good vehicle tool kit includes

Screwdrivers – Phillips and flat head

Pliers

Set of good socket wrenches

Duct tape

Electrical wire tape

Electrical wire spray

Flashlight with extra batteries

Small fire extinguisher

Jumper cables

Make sure there's a jack and a lug wrench in the vehicle and that the spare tire is inflated to its proper pressure. See Owner's Manual for recommended tire pressure numbers.

Answer 5

leave earlier then needed to give extra time in case of really bad weather and give extra room between your vehicle and the one in front of you and drive at a safe speed for the road conditions your in .

best things to keep in your vehicle's trunk

1.road flares or a warning triangle

2.first aid kit

3. set of jumper cables

4.vehicle jack

5.a pair of pliers

6.a regular screwdriver and a phillps screwdriver

7.a razor knife

8.disposable camera

Answer 6

flashlights with batteries or a lantern,cell phone(probably always have the on you during bad wheater),um....clothing...i dont know.

Answer 7

since you can't do anything about the weather you need to prepare yourself and just take it easy and only leave home in an emergency and running downtown for a bag of chips is not an emergency

Answer 8

It depends.  Will you be doing highway driving or a cross country trek in a fourwheel drive?  I rekon water is one thing that should be in yr car for emergencies.  A first aid kit is always good, emergency or not.  If i'm driving a long distance (over 400km) i always pack a small tool box.  This is mainly as i drive an old car tho.