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W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 | W E S T W O R L D 41 DRIVE SMART Steer This Way Survival tips for winter roads by Shauna Rudd 1) Skidding on Ice Prevent a skid by noting where ice is likely to form – intersections, low-lying and shaded areas, spots near bodies of water, bridge decks – and braking gently in advance. If that fails and you find yourself sliding, here's what to do: Brake smart. When you feel a loss of con- trol over your vehicle, instinct tells you to hit the brakes hard, but this could lock up your wheels before the ABS mechanism can kick in. e trick is to apply gentle but firm pres- sure to the brake pedal and steer smoothly. "CAA recommends that suspension, steering and brake systems be inspected twice a year to make sure they are in good condition," says Kevin Lane, vice-president of automotive services at CAA Saskatchewan. Look toward a safe spot. In a moment of panic, the direction your eyes go is the direction your vehicle will go. Be sure to fix your gaze on a safe area, such as a gap in traf- fic, and you will instinctively steer toward it. 2) Stuck in the Snow Many drivers, on finding their vehicles bur- ied in the white stuff, hop inside and put pedal to metal, only to spin the wheels and sink in deeper. Instead: Dig before driving. Shovel snow from around your tires and create a runway to get some momentum up. Create traction. You can use anything gritty, but cat litter has advantages over sand – it's lighter, it provides good traction and the bag is usually re-sealable. Spread it in front of all four tires. Rock out. Rock your vehicle free by gently accelerating forward and in reverse to make a clear path. Avoid spinning your wheels and take pauses to let tires cool for better trac- tion. A hot tire will melt the snow to ice. 3) Driving in Low Visibility Blowing snow, freezing rain, glare and fewer daylight hours can wreak havoc on visibility. Here's how to cope: Take it slow. Drive at the appropriate speed Winter Prep Pointers • More winter safe driving tips at caask.ca/safety. • Current highway travel condi- tions at highways.gov.sk.ca. • Skid Smart: Collision Avoidance Course available through sask safety.org. CAA Saskatchewan has a variety of auto safety kits available for purchase, including: • Standard Roadside Emergency Kit: member price $40;* regular price: $45. • Intermediate Roadside Emer- gency Kit: member price $69.75; regular price: $77.25. • Deluxe Roadside Emergency Kit; member price $95.75; regular price: $106.50. caask.ca/shop/auto-safety *Does not include applicable taxes. for conditions. That might be at the speed limit, or that might be half the speed limit. And if you're driving in darkness, don't over- drive your headlights. Pass on passing. In low visibility, you can't see if there is an obstruction in the other lane until you're right on top of it. A worst-case scenario: trailing a snowplow. The white cloud they kick up is virtually impossible to see around. Most plows stop every five to eight kilometres to let people go by, but other vehicles won't necessarily oblige. So decide: what's more important, your safety, or getting to your destination a few minutes quicker? W