There are a few rules that everyone should be aware of when dealing with a world that’s turned to ice like Maryland has today:
Rule #1:
SALT! I’m always amazed at how days later, some roads around here still haven’t been salted. Salt soon and often. Salt major roads and secondary roads. Salt driveways and walkways. Salt everything. States need to be prepared with trucks, drivers, and salt early and often. Individuals should have something on hand for their properties. Don’t have salt? Try fertilizer (better for your lawn), kitty litter, sand, anything with grit.
Rule #2: Clean your car off.
All of it. Don’t just carve yourself portholes to see through, dig your whole car out. Including the top of it. Why? Because snow flying from the hood of the car in front of you is annoying. Ice is dangerous. Don’t be that guy.
Rule #3: Ice = slow.
Your morning routine will now take 2x as long because you have to adhere to Rule #1. Leave time for it. Also, your car might be stuck- accelerating like you’re at NASCAR won’t get you out of your rut.
Rule #4: Don’t be an @$$.
Well, this is a rule for everyday life, but it especially applies to driving in/on ice. You can’t drive on ice the way you usually do on a dry road. Don’t think you’ll be able to make any hard turns without skidding. Don’t cut in front of anyone, they may skid while trying to stop. And don’t follow too closely, in case the guy in front of you didn’t clear the ice off the top of his car.
If all else fails, stay home and don’t venture out until Mother Nature is finished with her melting.
Amen!!
Can you add to your list – TURN YOUR LIGHTS ON! Even in the daylight hours if the weather is crap. Actually it is Maryland state law if your windshield wipers are on your lights need to be on. Can’t tell you how many folks today did NOT have lights on in this weather – almost hit one because it was a misty gray car that blended into the day.
As for slow – it is usually us Merlinders that are going slow. We often get accused of going too slow when all the northerners are speeding by us.
That’s an excellent point actually, on the way to work this morning, once i got onto the major roads that were okay, people were driving SOOOO SLOOW!
There’s a balance i think- between knowing what to do in the weather and not driving like an idiot… and knowing what to do in the weather, and not driving like you’re scared.
Here’s what my dad always told me: Test the roads. On a secondary road where there’s no traffic, accelerate a little and then press on the break, that will give you an idea as to what the roads are doing.
Hear, hear!
I especially appreciated your point about salting walkways. I had to walk in the bike lane (i.e. the road) this morning because the sidewalk was an ice rink. Next time we’re due for ice, I’m bringing a container of kitty litter to ‘salt’ my own path.
haha. excellent idea, salting your own path.:-)
I bought spikes but noticed i didn’t need them to walk around the car while chipping away at it bc i could just walk hard and fall through. lol