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  Before you leave home, be prepared:

	Before you move your car, clear ALL the snow and ice from it. Snow and ice flying off your car can cause driving distractions for you and other drivers, and could hit and damage other vehicles and may cause a crash.
	You may check conditions on New York State highways at NYS Transportation Federation's Winter Travel Advisory System The Thruway provides a Winter Traveler Advisory site at: http://www.thruway.ny.gov/wta/index.html
	Are you wearing clothing that is warm enough for weather conditions?  A jacket, gloves, hat, and boots are essential on a winter day.  A spare blanket in your car would be welcome in case you get stuck.
	Do you have winter gear in your vehicle?  An ice scraper and snow brush for uncovering your car, and a shovel might be needed for digging out of snow banks.
	Is your vehicle ready for winter? How's the tread on your vehicles' tires? Is the recommended amount of antifreeze in the radiator? Is the windshield washer reservoir full? If you have been driving on salted and sanded roads, have you cleaned off your lights - especially the headlights?  If it's too cold to wash them, newspaper works well. Will the heater and defroster clear icy and fogged windows? And do you have enough gas just in case you get stuck in slow moving traffic for a while?
	Before taking off make sure each passenger is properly buckled up - in a seat belt, a size-appropriate child safety seat, or a child restraint system.
	Do you really need to go out?  If so, take your serenity and patience with you.

  The best advice for driving during snowy and icy conditions is USE CAUTION!!

	Warm up the car so the defroster has a chance to clear the windows.  Clear ice and snow from your vehicle (including the roof) for improved visibility and for the safety of motorists sharing the road with you.
	In the winter, with more hours of darkness and weather conditions that limit visibility, be sure to have your head lights on.
	Match your speed to the road conditions.  Don't try to pass or weave in and out of traffic.
	Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you.  Pay attention to what other drivers are doing.  You can't stop quickly on snowy and/or icy roads.
	There is difference in the way that regular brakes and ABS brakes need to be used and the way they work.  Please familiarize yourself with the braking systems of the vehicles you drive BEFORE you need to try to make a quick stop.  For more information on these differences see our related sites page for links to Vehicle Issues.
	Remember that bridges and ramps freeze before road surfaces.

  When the storm is over:

	Remove all the snow from your vehicle!
	Don't plow or shovel the snow from your walk or driveway into the road.  It's not only unsafe, it's illegal!
	Snow blowing and drifting into the road will cause icy road conditions.
	During the day, ice and snow melt.  Then as temperatures fall again, melted ice and snow refreeze on the roadways.

  Snowmobiles

	As of September 1999, individuals under the age of 18 may not ride snowmobiles alone unless they have taken a snowmobile safety course.  Please see the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation web site for additional information.
	When snowmobiling you must wear an approved helmet. It's the law.
	You must register your snowmobile if you operate it in New York State. See information at the NYS DMV web site.
	Train tracks and the areas surrounding them are private property owned by the railroad.  DO NOT snowmobile on railroad property, it is unsafe and illegal.

  Daylight Saving Time

Sunday, March 11 is the day we advance the clocks one hour for Daylight Saving Time. Just like turning the clock back in the fall, moving the clock ahead has the same effects:
	Advancing the clock forward affects your body's internal clock.
	You are likely to be fatigued until your body has adjusted to the time change.
	Incidences of drowsy driving crashes are much higher during the first weeks following the time changes.
	Don't forget your sunglasses!!

 

Stay Warm and Drive Safely!

 

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