Choosing to brave the weather and drive anyway?
Check in advance for highway information and road closures. Call 511 to get freeway drive times and freeway speeds along your route and it will also tell you if there is road construction or a traffic incident ahead. Check online for current and future weather conditions along your route, visit http://storms.ca.gov/ .
Check your windshield wipers, brakes, and fluids! And don’t forget the law requires you to have your headlights on anytime the windshield wipers are operating continuously.
Leave early, allowing plenty of time to get where you’re going. Make sure your gas tank is full. Leave some extra space between your vehicle and the one ahead. If you are driving with kiddos, remember to remove all bulky clothing prior to securing them in their car seat. Their life depends on it. Simply cover them with a blanket to keep them cozy in the mean time.
Many crashes result from driving too fast, so slow down. Your vehicle can’t stop as fast or turn as accurately on wet or icy pavement.
If you’re heading to the mountains or anywhere you may encounter snow, bring tire chains, tire chain tighteners, and warm, waterproof clothes. Other items which may prove useful: flares, flashlight and strong batteries, small shovel, windshield scraper,
blankets, drinking water and snacks.
Freeways will often flood nearest to the roadway edges, especially on elevated roadways with walls on both sides. Avoid the outside lanes, especially at night.
Never drive through standing water. You don't know how deep it is or what might be on the surface below.
If you experience an emergency on the freeway, call 9-1-1 from your mobile phone. Make sure you know your location. Use your smart phone's map/ gps feature to find your exact location. CHP response times maybe delayed due to the high volume of calls. If you are in a minor collision, please move out of the roadway as soon as possible to prevent another collision. Always try to get off the freeway and leave your seat belt on while you wait for emergency services.
Winter Driving Tips are available on our website:
https://www.chp.ca.gov/Programs-Services/Services-Information/Winter-Driving-Tips
Picture Credit: wrightwoodcalif.com
