A Four Letter Word

by Scott Feldman

Snow. We really got socked today, didn't we. Hope if you had to go out in it, your trip was a safe one. I stopped by the Auto Club of America this morning to chat with Robert Sinclair about driving safely in the snow. First thing Robert told me was that dedicated snow tires are really the way to go in this kind of weather. He says the all season radials really don't cut it when you've got to stop. In fact, it can take a vehicle up to nine times longer to stop in snow and ice if you don't have the right tires. One of my pet peeves is people who don't clear the snow off their vehicles before they hit the road. It might not matter to you, but snow blowing off your car can blind other drivers. And what happens if some of the snow on your roof slides down on your windshield? That could be a big problem, to say the least. Everybody has seen SUV's barreling down the LIE or parkways, but Sinclair says they are heavy and have a high center of gravity and can easily slide when they try to brake. Speaking of sliding, if you go into a skid, steer in the direction you want to be traveling. As to what to have in your car, every emergency winter car kit should contain a flashlight, flares or reflective triangle, a distress sign, first aid supplies, a blanket, gloves, broom, and shovel. Speaking of shovels, I spotted a tip on the web that might help you. If snow is sticking to your shovel, spray it with a little non-stick cooking oil. The snow should come off a little easier. Believe it or not, Spring is right around the corner. Let's hope this is the last real blast of Winter.

Check these sites out for more safe winter driving tips: www.aaa.com and www.roadandtravel.com