Full Notification

Valdez, AK - Winter has arrived in Alaska! The Valdez Police and Fire Departments would like to pass along a few winter driving safety tips to residents.

When driving between Valdez and Anchorage, Fairbanks, or other areas of the state, it is crucial residents pack an emergency travel kit and become knowledgeable about winter driving techniques.

Items to consider packing in your vehicle when traveling during the winter months:

o Wool blanket
o Change of clothing for each person traveling in the vehicle
o Winter jacket/Snow pants/Snow boots for each person traveling in the vehicle
o Extra winter socks (wool/synthetic) for each person traveling in the vehicle
o Snacks
o Emergency water (quart per person)
o Shovels
o Flash light/head lamp
o Flares/strobe light
o Strike anywhere matches
o Tow rope (in good condition without tears or fraying)
o Small first aid kit
o Extra prescription medications
o Candles
o Sleeping bag for each person traveling in the vehicle
o Small bundle dry wood
o Hatchet/Axe
o Bag of kitty litter or gravel to use for traction
o Communication device – Cell phone, CB radio, Satellite phone, etc.




Tips for long-distance winter driving:
• Watch weather reports and check Alaska 511 prior to long distance driving. Delay trips when especially bad weather or road conditions are expected.

• Always let someone know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival. Provide this person with instructions on what to do if you do not check in at the appropriate time.

• Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition and your tires are property inflated. Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.

• Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before travel reduces driving risks.

• Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.

• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface.

• If you become snow-bound:

1. Stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don’t try to walk in a severe storm. It’s easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.

2. Don’t overexert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.

3. At night, keep your vehicle dome light and/or emergency flashers on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.

4. Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment of your vehicle while the engine is running.

5. Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include emergency blankets, sleeping bags, floor mats, newspapers, etc.

6. If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill from vehicle and to conserve gasoline.


Tips for driving in the snow:
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, or turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take ample time to slow down. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.

• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds in winter conditions. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.

• Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Pump brakes to avoid tire spin in icy conditions.

• Don’t completely stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving on ice or snow from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still slowly rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light or road condition changes, do it.

• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow covered roads just causes your wheels to spin. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.

• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

• Wildlife is a big safety concern when traveling in Alaska. Watch closely for moose, caribou, and other animals while driving and maintain appropriate speeds for the road conditions so you are able to stop if an animal suddenly crosses in front of your vehicle.

• Stay home. If you really don’t have to travel, don’t. Even if you can drive well in winter conditions, not everyone else can.
Posted December 11, 2015
Allie Hendrickson, PIO, City of Valdez