Winter Driving: Are You Prepared?

AURORA, IL — When temperatures take a dive and snow falls, conditions are ideal to separate the seasoned drivers from the not-so-experienced. The U.S. Department of Transportation reported that just over 22 percent of the nation's 5.7 million car crashes are weather-related, causing about 6,000 deaths each year. Even though more crashes happen in the rain than in snow, drivers still need to use caution when sharing the roadways in the wintertime.

Aurora Police posted a memo Monday on Facebook warning people that when it comes to running a red light, snow on the ground is not a plausible defense. Illinois law requires drivers to reduce speed when in special hazardous conditions, like snowfall.

An excerpt from Illinois Complied Statute 625 5/11-601 (a):

"Speed must be decreased as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person or vehicle on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care."

Driving Tips

The Illinois Department of Transportation provides the following tips for driving through unpredictable conditions in this part of the country:

• Slow down. Slower speeds, slower acceleration, slower steering and slower braking all are required in winter driving conditions.
• Drop it and drive. Put down the handheld devices – it, too, is the law in Illinois.
• Don’t crowd the plow. A snowplow operator’s field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they may not see you.
• Avoid using cruise control in snow and ice.
• Watch out for black ice on roads that appear clear but can be treacherous.
• Be especially careful approaching intersections, ramps, bridges and shady areas. All are prone to icing.
• Do not travel during bad weather unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to make a trip, check the forecast and make sure someone is aware of your travel route. Consider taking public transportation if it is an option.
• Prepare an emergency kit that contains jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, a small ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable food and a first-aid kit.
• Carry a cell phone and a car charger in case of emergency.
• Follow Scott’s Law. Slow down and move over for stopped emergency, construction and maintenance vehicles.

Check your tire pressure. The rule of thumb is for every 10 degrees the weather drops, tires lose 2 percent of their pressure. And, remember, SUVs and all-wheel-drive vehicles get in plenty of accidents. There's no substitute for a cautious and defensive driver. Snow tires are also a bonus.

Defogging Your Windshield

Here's a handy tip from former NASA scientist and YouTube science personality Mark Rober on how to prevent your windshield from fogging: shaving cream! Buff a thin layer on the inside of your windshield instead of buying anti-fog liquid at the store. Rober also has a few trips and tricks to get your vehicle to defog in half the time. Do not, under any circumstances, use hot water for a quick fix!

Keeping Your Car Safe

Police are imploring drivers to resist the urge to warm up your car ahead of time, even for a minute. Many car thefts are crimes of opportunity and it's not worth the risk. Aurora Police said they had two cars stolen the exact same way in less than 24 hours on Dec. 10 and 11. One was in the 1100 block of S. Fourth Street and the other was in the 700 bock of Fulton Street.

Both vehicles were recovered. Police also note that these stolen cars are often used to commit other crimes, and that many insurance companies don't cover losses from these types of events.

Main image: Mark Humphrey/Associated Press