1. Winter officially started on December 22. Here are some winter safe driving tips.
Buckle up and please, drive carefully.
Before you leave home, be prepared:
Before you move your car, clear ALL the snow and ice from it.
Snow and ice flying off your car can cause driving distractions
for you and other drivers, and could hit and damage other
vehicles and may cause a crash.
You may check conditions on New York State highways at NYS
Transportation Federation's Winter Travel Advisory System
The Thruway provides a Winter Traveler Advisory site at:
http://www.thruway.ny.gov/wta/index.html
Are you wearing clothing that is warm enough for weather
conditions? A jacket, gloves, hat, and boots are essential on a
winter day. A spare blanket in your car would be welcome in
case you get stuck.
Do you have winter gear in your vehicle? An ice scraper and
snow brush for uncovering your car, and a shovel might be
needed for digging out of snow banks.
Is your vehicle ready for winter?
1. How's the tread on your vehicles' tires?
2. Is the recommended amount of antifreeze in the
radiator?
3. Is the windshield washer reservoir full?

2. 4. If you have been driving on salted and sanded
roads, have you cleaned off your lights - especially
the headlights? If it's too cold to wash them,
newspaper works well.
5. Will the heater and defroster clear icy and fogged
windows?
6. And do you have enough gas just in case you get
stuck in slow moving traffic for a while?
Before taking off make sure each passenger is properly
buckled up - in a seat belt, a size-appropriate child safety seat,
or a child restraint system.
Do you really need to go out? If so, take your serenity and
patience with you.
The best advice for driving during snowy and icy
conditions is USE CAUTION!!
Warm up the car so the defroster has a chance to clear the
windows. Clear ice and snow from your vehicle (including the
roof) for improved visibility and for the safety of motorists
sharing the road with you.
In the winter, with more hours of darkness and weather
conditions that limit visibility, be sure to have your head lights
on.
Match your speed to the road conditions. Don't try to pass or
weave in and out of traffic.
Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the one ahead
of you. Pay attention to what other drivers are doing. You
can't stop quickly on snowy and/or icy roads.
There is difference in the way that regular brakes and ABS
brakes need to be used and the way they work. Please
familiarize yourself with the braking systems of the vehicles
you drive BEFORE you need to try to make a quick stop. For
more information on these differences see our related sites
page for links to Vehicle Issues.
Remember that bridges and ramps freeze before road surfaces.

3. When the storm is over:
Remove all the snow from your vehicle!
Don't plow or shovel the snow from your walk or driveway into
the road. It's not only unsafe, it's illegal!
Snow blowing and drifting into the road will cause icy road
conditions.
During the day, ice and snow melt. Then as temperatures fall
again, melted ice and snow refreeze on the roadways.
Snowmobiles
As of September 1999, individuals under the age of 18 may not
ride snowmobiles alone unless they have taken a snowmobile
safety course. Please see the Office of Parks, Recreation and
Historic Preservation web site for additional information.
When snowmobiling you must wear an approved helmet.
It's the law.
You must register your snowmobile if you operate it in New
York State. See information at the NYS DMV web site.
Train tracks and the areas surrounding them are private
property owned by the railroad. DO NOT snowmobile on
railroad property, it is unsafe and illegal.
Daylight Saving Time
Sunday, March 13 is the day we advance the clocks one hour for
Daylight Saving Time. Just like turning the clock back in the fall,
moving the clock ahead has the same effects:
Advancing the clock forward affects your body's internal
clock.

4. You are likely to be fatigued until your body has adjusted to
the time change.
Incidences of drowsy driving crashes are much higher during
the first weeks following the time changes.
Don't forget your sunglasses!!
Stay Warm and Drive Safely!
Command Safety Office
Fort Drum, NY 13602
772-5352
Courtesy of
The New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee "Safe NY"