These safety tips can help you prepare for a winter road trip - Press-Enterprise

With winter in full spring (Southern California-style: rain anywhere in the Inland Empire and snow in the local mountains and Mammoth), local roads and freeways pose more dangers to drivers, especially those driving up to the mountains. It’s also possible that more people will be driving to local snowy destinations this winter for some outdoor weekend fun to escape amid the COVID-19 pandemic, so area roads might be extra busy on weekends.

From time to time, On the Road shares driving safety tips. Here are this year’s top rain- and snow-related driving safety tips, from Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol.

Prepare your vehicle

Make sure your vehicle’s brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater and exhaust systems are in top working condition. Check your antifreeze and prepare for colder temperatures.

Drive slower and leave more distance

Leave extra distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you and drive slower. “A highway speed of 55 miles an hour may be safe in dry weather but an invitation for trouble on snow and ice,” the CHP says. “Snow and ice make stopping distances much longer, so keep your seat belt buckled and leave more distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Bridge decks and shady spots can be icy when other areas are not. Remember to avoid sudden stops and quick direction changes.”

Check your tires

Make sure your tires are properly inflated and the tread is in good condition. Bald tires are especially dangerous. “When the tread grooves aren’t deep enough to channel out water from under the tire, it can result in hydroplaning. Your tire skims the top of the water like it’s on the world’s most dangerous Slip ‘N Slide and no longer responds to the steering wheel inputs,” says tireamerica.com. “Deep grooves and an array of small slits, called ‘sipes,’ help most new tires and winter tires bite into the snow. A shallower tread and worn-away sipes result in reduced road gripping ability, making it harder — and sometimes impossible — to accelerate, stop or corner safely on snowy roads.” Take the “penny test” to check your tire’s tread depth. Learn how at https://ift.tt/3hvBp3q.

Have chains with you

Carry chains in snowy conditions and pay attention to road signs saying if you need chains. Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol can prohibit any vehicle from entering a chain-control area when it’s determined that the traction devices are inadequate for conditions. The CHP can also restrict any vehicles – with or without chains – due to dangerous local weather conditions. Make sure your chains are the right size for your vehicle. Visit https://ift.tt/38P1VRy and https://ift.tt/3aSVrUb to read more about chain requirements and chain controls.

Have the proper tools

Carry a windshield scraper, a broom for brushing snow off your car, a shovel to free your car if it gets stuck in the snow, a flashlight, and sand or burlap for traction if your wheels get stuck in snow.

Bring water and snacks

Take drinking water, snacks, blankets, extra clothing and medication in case you get delayed. You could get stuck on the highway or in the cold for hours if there’s an accident, snowstorm or traffic backup.

Fuel up

Keep your gas tank full in case of traffic delays or unexpected route diversions.

Pay attention

Keep your eyes on the road. If you’re driving when visibility is limited, this is NOT the time to play around with your cellphone, vehicle navigation system, cruise control, car radio or rowdy kids in the backseat. Slow down and be on the lookout for other vehicles and snow equipment or accidents that could be ahead.

Check weather conditions

Visit https://www.weather.gov, https://weather.com, www.chp.ca.gov or www.dot.ca.gov, or download the Weather Channel app on your smartphone. Or, call the Caltrans Road Conditions hotline at 1-800-427-7623 (ROAD) for traffic restrictions and highway information. Also check the Caltrans map at https://ift.tt/1eGdJzU for travel alerts and https://ift.tt/31G45xj for highway conditions.

Do you commute to work in the Inland Empire? Spend a lot of time in your vehicle? Have questions about driving, freeways, toll roads or parking? If so, write or call On the Road and we’ll try to answer your questions. Please include your question or issue, name, city of residence, phone number and email address. Write ontheroad@pe.com or call 951-368-9670.