Winter Bad Weather Driving – stay safe under the blanket at home.
Dr. Philip Facquet
Our last snow allowed us to welcome a few new faces to our Commack Smithtown Chiropractic office – so as a reminder snow plows, icy roads and walkways can make winter weather treacherous whether walking or driving.
Drivers – be responsible and learn how to use your vehicles braking system properly. With antilock brakes apply firm pressure and keep constant. Non-antilock brakes remember to pump or tap them gently. The car’s instruction booklet will contain information specific to your vehicle. Millennials look online for a video for specifics about your vehicles braking system. If you start to skid, remain calm, take your foot off of the brake or gas pedal, steer in the direction you want the car to go and when you regain control brake gently.
Pedestrians – in bad weather traction is poor and it is easy to fall. If you are subject to being out in icy conditions and do choose to walk there are removable shoe spikes that may be of help. Check Amazon 4 stars or better, spikes snow removable. For most of us wearing the correct shoes is more important for your safety. Staying off of main roads during a storm is your best bet – visibility is generally poor and vehicles do lose control pretty often and your body brakes easier than the metal of the car.
Whether as the operator of a vehicle or a pedestrian – it is safer to just to stay put. Most of us do not have to attend to emergencies and going to get a pizza or driving around to see how bad it really is a poor choice. Remember when the roads are bad out only go out if you have to and during a snow emergency remember that the main roads will be the safest. It is safer to travel when it is still light out and not during the height of a storm or when it is the coldest. Drive slowly as it is easier to stop. Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicles in front of you. Let aggressive drivers go.
In a winter storm make sure someone is with you and that you have a shovel and emergency blankets and flares in the car just in case. Be prepared. I know that we have cell phones; but, let someone know about your plans and keep them up to date. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has great information for you to review too.
In Suffolk useful numbers in an emergency may be found at: http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/FireRescueandEmergencyServices/CommunicationsBureau/EmergencyTelephoneNumbers.aspx
Dr. Facquet – Smithtown, Commack Chiropractor