Before you start….

• Check the weather forecast and postpone your trip if necessary.
  • Please contact the Facilities Office if you will be cancelling your reservation as to not incur a no-show fee.
• Ensure your vehicle is well maintained:
  • Fluid levels full.
  • Tires properly inflated and worn tires replaced
  • Wipers in good condition.
• Do not drive when you are tired.

Driving in Fog

The best advice for driving in fog is “Don’t.” It is better to pull off the road into a rest area or truck stop, if available, until visibility is better. If you must drive, be sure to consider the following:

• Obey all fog-related warning signs.
• Slow before you enter fog.
• Turn on all your lights. (Headlights should be on low beams).
• Be prepared for emergency stops.

Poor Visibility

• Reduce your speed so you can stop in whatever distance you can see ahead.
  • Use your flashers if you are going slow.
  • Pull over if it is dangerous to drive.
• Remember to use your wipers.
• Use low-beams when visibility is a problem, both day and night.
• Wear sunglasses when there is glare from snow.
• If snow or ice builds up on your windshield, stop and clean if off.

Rain Hazards

• Stay out of puddles.  They can hide potholes and flood your brakes.
  • If your brakes get flooded, dry them by driving with the brake pedal down until they start working again.
• If spray from an oncoming vehicle blinds you, grip the wheel firmly, stay off the brake, and be ready to break when the view clears.

Slippery Roads (wet or icy)

• Avoid braking heavily.
• If you skid, take your foot off the gas and turn in the direction you want the vehicle to go.  Do not use the brake.
• Stay below posted speed limits
• To avoid hydroplaning on wet roads, try to drive in the tracks of the vehicle in front of you.
• Watch for icy patches on bridges and in the shade

Summer Driving

• According to the National Safety Council, more motor vehicle injuries and fatalities occur during summer than any other season. Leading causes include:
  • High speeds
  • Impaired or careless driving
  • Not using safety belts

The National Safety Council offers the following tips to keep trips safe and fun:

• Drive at the speed limit.
  • Speeding is a factor in about a third of all vehicle crash facilities.
• Prepare your vehicle for the road.
  • Clean headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows once a week, if not more.
• If your vehicle breaks down on the highway, pull off the road as far as possible.
  • Warn approaching traffic by setting flares or reflecting triangles near your vehicle and 100 feet behind it.
  • Stay off the roadway and get passengers away from the vehicle.
• For longer trips, allow enough travel time for frequent breaks for rest, snacks and exercise.
  • Drowsiness’ can reduce reaction time almost as much as drinking.  If you are too tired to drive, stop and rest.
  • Danger signs of fatigue include eye strain, blurred vision, head dropping, yawning, swaying out of the lane, or an urge to close your eyes.
• Drive defensively.  Be alert.  If you notice that a car is straddling the center lines, weaving, making wide turns, stopping abruptly or responding slowly to traffic signals, the driver may be impaired.
  • Avoid an impaired driver ahead by slowing down to increase the following distance.
  • If the impaired driver is behind, turn right at the nearest corner.  Notify the police after seeing a motorist who is driving suspiciously.
• Follow the rules of the road.  Don’t contest the “right-of-way” or try to race another car while trying to merge into another lane.  Be respectful of other motorists.