10 tips for winter driving

By Mark Sedenquist

Travel columnist

updated 7:52 p.m. ET Dec. 7, 2006

A San Francisco man was found dead Wednesday nearly two weeks after getting stranded with his family in the snowy Oregon wilderness. James Kim's wife and kids, thankfully, were rescued from their car, but Kim set out on foot days before to seek help for his family.

This story gained national attention and underscores just how dangerous winter driving can be.

The months between November and March constitute one of the busiest road trip seasons. Snowbirds (people with summer homes in northern states from Idaho to Maine) head south in numbers large enough to give a crucial economic boost to the Sunbelt, especially California, Arizona and Florida. Add in winter sports enthusiasts, business travelers, holiday vacationers, foreign visitors and students, and it’s easy to understand why America’s highways are jammed even when temperatures plunge and driving conditions can be challenging.

If you find yourself hitting the road during adverse conditions, consider these 10 tips to stay safe on your journey.

1. Know your route and keep abreast of weather conditions. The Web can be great source of current weather information. Make a list of Department of Transportation road-condition hotlines and consult them every few hours while you’re on the road. Pay special attention to avalanche conditions along your route, because temporary road closures are common in mountain areas.

2. Drink plenty of water. When the weather is chilly, dehydration might seem unlikely, but according to a study by the Mayo Clinic, as little as a 1-2 percent loss of body weight can lead to fatigue and reduced alertness — both of which can be deadly when you are driving in icy conditions. Carry (and drink) five to six 16-ounce bottles of water per day. Keep them with you in the passenger compartment, as they might freeze in the trunk.

3. Eat enough food. Your body needs more nourishment in cold weather than it does on a balmy summer day. Avoid candy bars and other quick-sugar-release snacks. Sandwiches, fruit or a thermos of hearty stew are much better choices. Carry a day’s worth of high-energy food and water in a warm area of your vehicle in case you are stranded for a few hours.

4. Pack a winter travel safety kit. Include a cell phone, an ice scraper and brush, a tow rope, cat litter (for use as a traction aid), blankets, a good flashlight, a candle, matches, a good book, a portable weather radio and a can of lock de-icer. (Never use hot water on glass or locks — it will refreeze and create a bigger problem.) Here’s a more detailed list of road trip supplies.

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