Break Down Tips

Breaking down:

	If you break down on the roadway, do your best to pull to the right shoulder or as far to the right as possible. There is not much worse than becoming that sitting duck smack dab in the middle of rush hour traffic.
	Turn on your hazard signal in all cases of break down.
	It is always a good idea to carry warning triangles and / or road flares. Please don't light road flares at accidents in case of fuel leaks. Let the police handle that responsibility.
	If you cannot get your vehicle started, contact a tow company to get you off the road as soon as possible.
	If you are blocking traffic, notify the local police agency or the Highway Patrol of your situation.
	Leaving your vehicle for an extended period of time is not always wise. If you leave, and your vehicle is not in a safe location, the police may have your vehicle towed.
	If you are stranded on the highway.... Be Cautious.... it is not safe. Some people advise to stay in your vehicle with your safety belt on. It may be better to stand outside of your vehicle, behind and as far off the roadway as possible. If you stand in front of or directly next to your vehicle, a passing motorist may hit you or your vehicle. If that passing motorist hits your vehicle, and you are next to or in front of it, WHERE DO YOU THINK YOUR VEHICLE IS GOING TO GO?
	No matter what advice you take, please always be aware of what is coming.
	Always look first before getting out of your vehicle.
	If you are changing your tire, make sure you are as far off the roadway as possible, and keep an eye out for passing motorists.
	We cannot stress how important it is to KEEP AWARE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC!!

	KNOW YOUR VEHICLE Is your vehicle 2 wheel drive (2WD), 4 wheel drive (4WD), all wheel drive (AWD), front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, standard or automatic transmission? TELL THEM. Do you have passengers? How many? How old? Pets? TELL THEM. Are you towing a trailer? TELL THEM.
	WHERE ARE YOU Good information will get us there faster. Route numbers, mile markers, compass direction, street name your on as well as streets you passed by and landmarks will all help.
	CALL BACK NUMBER Is a great help. We can communicate directly with you, which save time and misunderstandings. If you contacted one of our local Law Enforcement Agencies leave your number with the dispatcher.
	STAY CALM Don’t argue with the wrecker operator. He is there to help you get where you are going. The last thing he needs is you yelling at him while he is trying to help you.
	WHERE IS IT GOING If you are requesting a tow, think of where you want your vehicle taken. If you don't know ask the wrecker operator. They have been doing this job for a long time and they know the businesses that do the best work.
	PAYING FOR SERVICES Know your motor club (if you have one) and the services and rates they provide. Don't get in a situation where you can't pay for the extra service that may be required.
	STAY CLEAR Once the wrecker operator gets to your location, stay clear of what he is doing. Try not to get in his way and possibly get yourself and him injured. Please stay in an area out of the way of the wrecker and remember, DON'T WONDER INTO THE ROADWAY AND GET YOURSELF KILLED BY PASSING MOTORISTS. Stay off the side of the road until the wrecker operator lets you know that it is time to go.

Winter Travel Tips

The leading cause of death during winter storms is transportation accidents. Preparing your vehicle for the winter season and knowing how to react if stranded or lost on the road are the keys to safe winter driving.
(This information is brought to you by one of the many Web Pages of the DOT)

BEFORE

Have a mechanic check the following items on your car.

	Battery
	Antifreeze
	Wipers and windshield washer fluid
	Ignition system
	Thermostat
	Lights
	Flashing hazard lights
	Exhaust system
	Heater
	Brakes
	Defroster
	Oil level (if necessary, replace existing oil with a winter grade oil or the SAE 10w/30 weight variety)

Install good winter tires.
Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.

Keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal.

Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season.

Plan long trips carefully.
Listen to the radio or call the state highway patrol for the latest road conditions. Always travel during daylight and, if possible, take at least one other person.

If you must go out during a winter storm, use public transportation.

Dress warmly.
Wear layers of loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing.

Carry food and water.
Store a supply of high-energy "munchies" and several bottles of water.

Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on winter driving.

Winter Car Kit
Keep these items in your car:

	Flashlights with extra batteries
	First aid kit with pocket knife
	Necessary medications
	Several blankets
	Sleeping bags
	Extra newspapers for insulation
	Plastic bags (for sanitation)
	Matches
	Extra set of mittens, socks, and a wool cap
	Rain gear and extra clothes
	Small sack of sand for generating traction under wheels
	Small shovel
	Small tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)
	Booster cables
	Set of tire chains or traction mats
	Cards, games, and puzzles
	Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag
	Canned fruit and nuts
	No electric can opener
	Bottled water

DURING

IF TRAPPED IN CAR DURING A BLIZZARD

Stay in the car.
Do not leave the car to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards. You may become disoriented and lost is blowing and drifting snow.

Display a trouble sign.
Hang a brightly colored cloth on the radio antenna and raise the hood.

Occasionally run engine to keep warm.
Turn on the car's engine for about 10 minutes each hour. Run the heater when the car is running. Also, turn on the car's dome light when the car is running.

Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and open a downwind window slightly for ventilation.

Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

Do minor exercises to keep up circulation.

Clap hands and move arms and legs occasionally. Try not to stay in one position for too long. If more than one person is in the car, take turns sleeping.

For warmth, huddle together.

Use newspapers, maps, and even the removable car mats for added insulation.

Avoid overexertion.
Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse. Be aware of symptoms of dehydration.

Wind Chill
"Wind chill" is a calculation of how cold it feels outside when the effects of temperature and wind speed are combined. A strong wind combined with a temperature of just below freezing can have the same effect as a still air temperature about 35 degrees colder.

Winter Storm Watches and Warnings
A winter storm watch indicates that severe winter weather may affect your area. A winter storm warning indicates that severe winter weather conditions are definitely on the way.

A blizzard warning means that large amounts of falling or blowing snow and sustained winds of at least 35 miles per hour are expected for several hours.

Frostbite and Hypothermia
Frostbite is a severe reaction to cold exposure that can permanently damage its victims. A loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, or nose and ear lobes are symptoms of frostbite.

Hypothermia is a condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling, drowsiness, and exhaustion.

If frostbite or hypothermia is suspected, begin warming the person slowly and seek immediate medical assistance. Warm the person's trunk first. Use your own body heat to help. Arms and legs should be warmed last because stimulation of the limbs can drive cold blood toward the heart and lead to heart failure.

Put person in dry clothing and wrap their entire body in a blanket.

Never give a frostbite or hypothermia victim something with caffeine in it (like coffee or tea) or alcohol. Caffeine, a stimulant, can cause the heart to beat faster and hasten the effects the cold has on the body. Alcohol, a depressant, can slow the heart and also hasten the ill effects of cold body temperatures