Winter Driving Tips
Did you know: 43 percent of the motor vehicle accidents from Jan-Nov 2007 occurred during the months of January, February and March?
Public Safety wants to remind the RIT Community to take extra precautions during the upcoming winter months and recommends the following:
- Test your batteries-make sure battery connections are good.
- Be sure all fluids are at proper levels.
- Check your tires-utilize all season or snow tires.
- Make sure wiper blades are cleaning properly. Consider changing to winter wiper blades which are made for driving in snow.
- Equipment to have on hand: Snow shovel, Scraper with a brush on one end, Tow chain or strap, Tire chains, Flashlight (with extra batteries), Jumper cables, Warning device (flares or reflective triangles), Brightly colored cloth to signal for help, high-energy food (chocolate or dried fruit, for example), Sleeping bags or blankets, ski caps, and mittens, First-aid supplies and a Compass.
- Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
- Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
- Keep your lights and windshield clean.
- Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
- Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
- Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
If your vehicle does not start while you are on the RIT Campus, contact the Public Safety Dispatcher at 475-2853 V/TTY for assistance.