Winter driving conditions descend upon Sisters

November has brought winter driving conditions down on the Sisters Country.

Wrecks on local highways have pointed out the dangers of driving on the often-icy roads around Sisters.

Last Thursday, all occupants escaped serious injury in a head-on collision on Highway 20 near Suttle Lake. One car slid into oncoming traffic on an icy roadway. While both late-model sedans were totaled, the passenger compartments on both vehicles remained intact and the occupants suffered only minor injuries.

Sisters and Black Butte Ranch rescue personnel responded Friday to a single-vehicle roll-over on Highway 20 and on the same day a rooter bus enroute to the Lady Outlaws' volleyball game in the Valley nosed into an embankment after the driver braked when a car got sideways in front of the bus.

In that incident no one was injured and the bus driver was able to extract the bus and continue on.

These incidents remind Sisters Country drivers that it is time to apply their preparation and skills in winter driving.

The Automobile Association of America (AAA) recommends the following winter driving tips:

•Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don't try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.

•Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning - nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.

•The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.

•Know your brakes. Whether you have anti-lock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.

•Don't stop if you can avoid it. There's a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.

•Don't power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.

•Don't stop when going up a hill. There's nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

•Avoid driving while you're fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.

•Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.

•Make certain your tires are properly inflated.

•Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.

•Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).

•Always look and steer where you want to go.

•Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.

•Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.

•Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition.

•Pack a cellular telephone, blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle. If you become snowbound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don't try to walk in a severe storm. It's easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.

•Don't overexert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.

•Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.

•Make sure the exhaust pipe isn't clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.

•Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.

•If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.

•Stay home. If you really don't have to go out, don't. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don't tempt fate: If you don't have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.