Palouse Winter Driving Workshop

Palouse Winter Driving Workshop... A Success!

Lately, there has been a significant concern coming from parents of WSU students about their child starting school, in an area where it snows, with little to no experience in winter driving. The Palouse Safe Driver's Campaign in conjunction with WSU Transportation Services offered a small workshop for students & community members needing a little more information on how to handle inclement weather and the roads. On February 4th, 2020, a little over 20 people met in room 150 of the Chinook Student Center; they were presented to by Hubert Hogaboam, the local driver's education instructor for the past 43 years, on how to be better winter drivers! We were happy with the outcome of the event and hope to offer more small workshops like this in the future! We want to thank Hubert for speaking, as well as Perfection Tire in Pullman, for providing display tires to use!  If you missed this one and want to catch the next one, please follow our social media to stay up to date!

Black Ice; Winter's Invisible Threat

Black ice's name is a bit of a misnomer, due to the fact, it is not black, but invisible. It is such a fine layer of ice, forming without bubbles that it becomes transparent and only appears to be black because of the pavement showing through from underneath. Black ice is a formidable winter foe, due to it being so hard to spot. The best thing we could do in any situation dealing with inclement road conditions is to remain calm. Please continue reading to learn more about black ice, how it & why it forms, a few ways to spot or be aware of it, and some tips for how to handle your vehicle during an encounter with this hidden threat. 

What Causes Black Ice & Where Is It

Ensuring that you are knowledgeable about the conditions in which black ice forms can help you be more proactive about driving safely through the road conditions and when to be aware of possible black ice. Black Ice is tricky because there are a few different reasons it forms.  This danger develops most often during the early morning and evening hours when the surface temperatures of the roads are at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Black Ice is less likely during the day times as the sun warms the roadways, but this is not to say it cannot ever happen. Be careful when approaching overpasses, bridges, and sections of the road that have been shaded, as these areas are colder and can be hazardous spots for sliding on black ice. Snow-melt puddling up in the daylight warming and then refreezing as temperatures drop will also create conditions in which you should prepare for black ice. Watching out for these times and spots where it will form can keep you one step ahead of the rest.

How To Spot Black Ice

Spotting black ice is not impossible but extremely difficult, but still watching for it can't hurt. As stated in the above paragraph, the most important thing to realize is that preparedness, knowing where and when to look for areas in which it might be lurking, is the best option. With that put out there, we can tell you a few tricks to spot black ice before it gets you. When traveling at night, look for patches of roadway that look darker or duller than the rest of the road. During the day, look for glossy/wet looking surfaces in or around shaded roadways, hill bottoms, bridges, as well as under and on overpasses. If you are unsure, use the tires of the car in front of you to tell if things are wet or frozen, when a spray up of water is present there should be no ice. Car thermometers are fairly accurate these days, so this can also be an indicator of nasty road conditions. Being vigilant and paying attention will keep you safe.

How To Drive & Handle Sliding On Black Ice

One essential thing to remember is that no matter what kind of vehicle you have sliding on ice and careening off the road is always possible. Handling an encounter with black ice is very similar to driving in the snow or regular ice except for there is significantly less traction between your tires and the road. Four-wheel-drive or not, you can and will slide on black ice. The first tip I have for you is to REMAIN CALM. Panic can make bad situations worse; keep your head about you. If you suddenly start going a direction other than the intended path of travel and suspect black ice is the cause, take your foot off the accelerator, but DO NOT hit the brakes! Brakes will cause the wheels to lock up, and the sliding can become more intense and dangerous for yourself and those around you. Try to keep the wheels straight and pointed where you intend to go because black ice is not usually more than 20-foot patches, you will gain traction again. If things do get a bit hairy out there, remember only to do small corrective turns into the slide to try to regain control. Avoid over-correcting, as this will cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

Winter driving can be the scariest time to be a driver, but gaining knowledge on the matter and putting it into practice will be the easiest way to make your life a bit less stressful. Below are a few tips and warnings when it comes to driving in conditions prime for black ice.

Quick Tips & Warnings

-Keep at least a 5-second following distance between you and the cars in front of you. Braking takes twice as long on black ice.

-Never hit the brakes on ice to avoid skidding and try to hold the wheel steady.

-Be aware of the current weather conditions and be vigilant during the morning and evening temperature changes.

-Take cautions when using bridges or approaching overpasses (under or over), as well as tunnels.

-Avoid over-correcting your steering if you feel your car start to slide.

-If you have ABS brakes, acquaint yourself with how they work and what they feel like when engaged.

-Being prepared with snow tires fitted to your vehicle before the snows start the best way to battle losing control.

-Avoid sudden acceleration, braking, and change of directions, as this can cause slide outs.

-If the weather is truly awful, consider just staying home and avoiding the mess.

-4x4 vehicles, SUVs, vans, pickups, and large trucks all have a higher center of gravity and are prone to sliding and then rolling when they gain traction again, be extra careful when driving these vehicles.

-NEVER use cruise control because you need to be able to have full control of the car at all times in bad weather.

-ALWAYS DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF CAR YOU OWN, NO TRACTION IS STILL NO TRACTION IN BOTH 4WD AND 2WD.

4 Wheel Drive Doesn't Mean 4 Wheel Stop

Winter Driving with 4-wheel Drive Vehicles

Just because you have 4-wheel drive don't get lulled into a false sense of security. 4-wheel drive vehicles are not better equipped to stop quickly on icy/snowy roads. This feature is solely for gaining better traction and control in terrible conditions, not for stopping on a dime. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, this was something ground into me. From an early age, I can remember my parents pointing out vehicles with 4-wheel drive flying passed us on the highway, and there was always the comment made of how they will end up in a ditch further down the road for driving like a royal... well you know what! A few times we did sadly see the same vehicle going at breakneck speeds earlier spun off or even flipped upside down on the roadside later. Understanding what 4-wheel drive does for you as a driver and how to use it is very important!

In this video, put out by O'Reilly Auto Parts, you can learn about the differences as well as the pros and cons of 4WD, AWD, and 2WD.

Remember, that 4-wheel or all-wheel vehicles do not make you invincible in the snow. You have an advantage when it come to initially gain traction but when your sliding across the snow or ice it won't make it so you stop better or faster! Be safe out there; go slow, increase following distances, don't brake hard and be considerate of everyone on the road. 

Changes to Washington State Car Seat Laws

Have You Made The Udjustments?

As of January 1st, 2020, Washington State made some crucial changes to the child safety seat requirements and laws. Making sure to follow these laws will reduce the chances of severe injury or death of a child and you from a hefty fine. Target Zero's website states "Your child's safety in the car requires the right seat, used the right way, every time." Are you aware, even, if you are from Idaho and coming into Washington, these new laws apply to you too?

What's New?

The laws now state that a child under the age of 2 has to be appropriately secured in a rear-facing car seat.

Also,according to new law, chilren ages two to four must ride in a seat with a harness (rear or front-facing).

As well, children over 4 have to be in a booster seat or chair until they reach the height of 4' 9".

Finally, the changes specify that children over the height of 4' 9" must be secured by a properly fitted seat belt and ride in the back seat until the age of 13, when practical to do so.

Safety on the roads and in our vehicles should take top priority to save lives. Especially where children are involved, please remember to ensure that all passengers are properly secured before departure. If you travel with a child under 16 years of age, you can get a $124 ticket for not having them correctly seated and secured within a moving vehicle. Always double check to be sure you are ready for travel to avoid fines or even more traumatic scenarios. 

Need more information or have questions go to https://wadrivetozero.com/car-seats/ for a more detailed break down of the new 2020 Wahington State car seat laws.

Make Sure You See The New Year, Don't Drink & Drive!

It's Almost 2020!

Christmas has come and gone; now it is time to start preparing for the New Year. Let's celebrate our successes from 2019 and how fortunate we are to be seeing the new Year! Whether you plan on going out or hosting a party at home, please be safe while doing so. Here are three tips to remember while you ring in 2020.

Eat or Serve Food 

Staying up till midnight can be hard, serve or eat plenty of food to keep everyone going. Have non-alcoholic beverages too. Doing this will hopefully ensure that no one gets too out of sorts and that you all have a great night. 

Charge your Phone

Ensure that your cell phone is fully charged before you go anywhere. Emergencies can happen at any time, especially on a night when most of the population is exceptionally active, being prepared to respond is critical. Even make sure it has full charge in case you need to call for a ride.

Designated Drivers are a Must

If you head out for the evening to a party, decide ahead of time who will be the designated driver for the night. As well, if you are staying in, make sure your house guests all have designated drivers or have the ability to stay over if they overindulge. Remember that when serving alcohol, you can be held liable for accidents caused by a guest that was overserved in your home or establishment. If you find yourself in a jam, always remember you can call a cab, get an Uber or a Lyft. 

Every Year we see or hear about accidents on New Year's Eve, sadly most have to do with an intoxicated driver and many are fatal. Take a moment right now, to decide you and your friends won't become a statistic this year. We all want to have fun, but we also want to continue living and loving like we usually do. So don't slack when it comes to your and everyone else's safety this New Year's Eve! DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!

Winter Driving Tips

Winter Driving

For most, this is the most wonderful time of the year; kids jingle belling, and everyone telling you be of good cheer, but for some, Winter means driving in the elements. Especially living in the Pacific Northwest, we are hit with bad weather and terrible road conditions, year after year. If you are anything like me, you probably spend most of the Winter months cursing the roads and terrible drivers. It's an entire season devoted to white knuckle, wheel clenching and gritted teeth. Accidents happen every year, due to the inclement wrath of mother nature, and most often times these incidents could have been avoided. Drivers need to practice safe and defensive winter driving. Here are a few tips to use this season and remember the point of going anywhere is to actually get there, if the roads are too dangerous, the best and safest bet is to STAY HOME.

Fall Driving Tips brought to you by the Palouse RTPO &

The Palouse Driver Safety Campaign.

Watch out for icy spots on the road

Always keep your eyes on the road and pay attention to rough patches. Not all areas see the same traffic or get their roads plowed right away, if you see bad patches of road, avoid them if possible, but go slowly through them if needed.

Don't Use Cruise Control

Being in full control of your vehicle is crucial to navigate terrible roads. If cruise control is engaged when the vehicle is hydroplaning or sliding, the wheels 

will continue to spin 

as it tries to maintain 

speed and you will lose 

all control of the vehicle. 

TAP your brakes

When driving in the snow knowing if your car has antilock brakes or not is important. Most cars come standard with ABS. When trying to stop on snow or ice DON'T slam on the breaks. Pump or tap the brakes till you feel the wheels catch traction. Always begin slowing down for stops a ways in advance.

Clear ALL frost from windows
Frosty may have been a magical talking snow man but when your car is all frosty there is nothing magical about that. Frosted windows have no place on an open road. Obstructing your view will only endanger yourself and those around you. Always give your self time to clear all  of your car and windows of frost and snow, before departing. 

Prepare vehicle for Winter
You wouldn't go play full contact football without the proper training and equipment, so why would you treat your winter driving the same? It is in fact dangerous to drive without having your vehicle equipped with proper snow tires and have chains for extreme situations. Get ready before it is too late. Also check that antifreeze levels are topped off, use winter windshield wiper fluid, and switch to winter-grade oil at your next oil change.

Leave extra space & go SLOW
Being too close to the driver in front of you & going too fast while on snowy roads causes many, many accidents. Not giving ourselves the extra space and time to slow down could leave us sliding into someone else. Never go faster than you are comfortable and give yourself extra time to get places so you can do so safely.

Be prepared for emergencies 

Stock your vehicle with supplies in case an emergency goes happen. Basic kits are easy to find online or in store. Include things like: flashlights, extra batteries, blanket, snacks, water, gloves, boots, and winter travel gear. Things like tire chains, ice scrapers, jumper cables, and road flares are good to have. Having some of these things could be a life saver if you actually need to use them in an emergency situation. 

Correct direction AFTER regaining control of vehicle
Many times people are told to turn into the slide and try and get the back end of the car in line with the front again, but we are finding that can sometimes make the situation worse. So general rule of thumb would be to correct your direction of travel only after you have stopped sliding and once again have control of the vehicle.

BE AWARE, CARE, & SHARE

Fall Safe Driving Tips

FALL DRIVING

It's that time of year again, roadways are becoming more hazardous as we finish off Fall and head into the Winter & holiday season. Whether we are doing our daily commute to work & school, or traveling over the river & through the woods, to Grandmother's house, we can expect to see roads in varying conditions. It is only practical that we prepare ourselves to utilize the roadways in a manner reflecting our respect for the lives of those around us. Even though fall doesn't seem to have many perilous road conditions, there are dangers lurking all around. If you aren't careful, you could fall victim to Fall. Here a few tips to keep you going safely during the Autumn season. 

                                                                                                 Don't Brake on Leaves       

Fall Driving Tips brought to you by The Palouse RTPO &
The Palouse Driver Safety Campaign.

Leaves can hold lots of moisture and become slippery. Avoid traveling at a high rate of speed over them and braking hard, as this can cause your vehicle to slide just like on ice. 

Clear ALL Frost from WindowsFreezing your fanny off to scrape windows is never fun, but absolutely necessary. As well, letting your car heater defrost the windows can take a longer amount of time than you have, but driving with any frost on your windshield or other windows, obstructs your view. This increases your chances of causing a traffic accident. 

Never drive with frosty windows.

Avoid Sun Glare, If possible

Directly before sunset and after sunrise can be the worst times to travel, especially if you have to drive into the sun. Sun glare can be blinding. If you must travel during this time try scheduling to leave a few minutes later to give the sun time to get more out of the way, if you can.

Watch Out for Icy Bridges

Even though snow is not on the ground, quite yet, temperatures are still dropping below freezing at night, leaving us with slightly icy roads and bridges. Take caution when driving over shadowed patches on the road and bridges as they can be covered with ice.

Let Your Eyes Adjust to the Light

The worst factor, for winter and fall driving, is the lack of natural light. As the sun is out far less we have to prepare to drive in the dark. The average eye takes five to 10 minutes to adjust to the dark, allot for this in your schedule, and hit the road when you can properly see. 

Watch Out for Deer

Before snow blankets the ground, we see an increase of deer and wildlife activity. Watch for wildlife along the roadsides during peak activity hours; from sunset to midnight and directly before sunrise. Use high beams to possibly illuminate their eyes & remember deer seldom travel alone, his buddies are most likely close.

Be Cautious in Rainy Conditions

Rain can be dangerous to travel in as well. Fresh rain can lead to hydroplaning and loss of vehicle control. Pull over if rain or fog is too dense, impairing visibility, & wait for better conditions. Drive slow, use fog lights, and hazard flashers in extreme situations.

Keep Up On Vehicle Maintenance

It can sound a little silly to say because it seems like common sense but making sure your vehicle is travel ready is SO important. Ensure you change the oil, swap out old windshield wipers and try to keep that needle above E, and you can easily avoid some odd emergency roadside circumstances.

BE AWARE, CARE, & SHARE!