From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

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Date: November 3, 2008

Winter Driving

Winter weather is fast approaching and soon motorists will be operating their cars in heavy rain, standing water, on snow, on ice, and on hail. Is your vehicle ready? Aside from the standard maintenance for your vehicle, your Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office offers the following tips to make sure your car is ready for operation in bad weather.

When the rain is falling and the roadways are wet, light is absorbed and hinders your ability to see. Make sure that all of the lighting on your vehicle is in good condition and replace burned-out bulbs. Make sure the low and high beam headlight bulbs are working. If you see moisture condensed inside your headlight, your headlight seal is not working correctly and the headlight should be replaced.

Check your vehicle’s tires. Make sure they have sufficient tread depth and that the tread is not more worn on one side of the tire than the other. Uneven tire wear is an indication that your vehicle is out of alignment. If your tires displays more tread wear in the center or outside edges, then your tire pressure could be too high or too low. Be sure the tire pressure is at the level recommended by the manufacturer. Tires with little or no tire tread will hydroplane easily, which can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Check your spare tire too. Knowing how to change a flat tire on your car and ensuring you have all the tools needed can be handy. Practice changing a tire in your driveway with a family member or friend to help if you are unsure.

Be sure to check your vehicle’s windshield wipers. Sun and heat cause the rubber blades of the windshield wipers to become hard and even crack. Ice can also damage wipers. The blades should be soft; otherwise they tend to bounce across the windshield leaving steaks or gaps where the water is not removed. This results in limiting driver visibility. Also make sure the inside of your windshield is clean and free of streaks.

Keep a travel kit in your vehicle. The kit should consist of at least the following items:

• At least six flares.
• Flashlight and spare batteries. Test your flashlight. The batteries die over time, even if you don’t use them.
• oSpace blanket.
• Brightly colored and reflective jacket or other outer garment. Should your vehicle break down, or if you need to change a flat tire at the side of the road, you will want passing motorists to be able to see you from far away.
• Bottled water.
• Power bars or another form of food that can be store in your vehicle for a long period of time without deteriorating and be able to provide high calories and nutrition without the need for cooking it.
• First aid kit.
• Fire extinguisher.

Always travel with a cell phone and for longer trips, be sure to let a friend or relative know where you’re going, when you should arrive, and the route you are going to take.

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