With cold temperatures in the forecast tonight, the City of Eugene hopes you will continue to take proper precautions for the potentially slick driving conditions.
Here are a few tips for driving on snow and ice:
- If it’s icy out and you don’t need to travel, stay home.
- Slow down.
- Leave plenty of driving distance, don’t accelerate quickly and don’t brake abruptly.
- Drive defensively and cautiously – your eyes should be looking ahead and down the road so you can see conditions and traffic and will be able to react appropriately and calmly.
- Even if you have a green light, check to see if you are safe proceeding through the intersection. There may be vehicles sliding into the intersection, without the ability to stop due to road conditions and unsafe driving.
- If you have an outside temperature gauge in your car, check it from time to time.
- Drive as though you can’t rely on your brakes.
- Be aware that road conditions can change quickly as the temperature drops.
- The surface on overpasses and bridges freeze faster, so be cautious.
- Remove all ice on windshields, windows, headlights and tail lights prior to driving to ensure adequate visibility, and make sure the vehicle’s windshield is defrosted.
- Carry chains or traction devices if it’s going to snow.
- Check your tire pressure. It should be at least at the level recommended by the manufacturer. As the temperature drops, so does tire pressure.
- Turn on your headlights.
- If you crash, carefully evaluate the situation from inside your vehicle. Don’t immediately get out because it’s possible other vehicles might also be crashing near you. Don’t stand between moving traffic and your vehicle. Use a flare, hazard lights or other signaling device to warn other drivers of the crash.
- Watch out for people who may be walking or biking in the road.
- Four-wheel drive vehicles and all-wheel drive vehicles are great at accelerating, but in snow or ice that doesn’t help you stop or turn.
- Don’t use cruise control in freezing, near freezing, or rainy conditions. The powered wheels can lose traction.