Winter Driving: A little Preparation Makes the Difference in Getting Around
People who have lived for while in the Cascade foothills area realize that we see some snow during the winter months. The lower elevations in and around Issaquah can receive up to a foot of snow, with greater amounts on the Sammamish Plateau and surrounding hills. For new residents, however, this snow (and the resultant chaos) comes as a jarring surprise. No matter how long you’ve lived here, we hope the following tips and tricks will save you time, money and frozen feet.
1. Early Prepration: As soon as the leaves have turned their bright fall colors it is time to put the “winter bag” in the trunk of your car. What winter bag? Supply each car with a duffel bag full of winter-driving emergency gear and accessories, leave the bags there until spring and hope that you don’t have to use them.
Each winter bag should contain: ❉ chains, cables or other traction devices ❉ tarp for ground cover when putting on the traction devices ❉ flashlight (with spare batteries)—snow seems to come more often after dark ❉ gloves—waterproof and warm are best ❉ blanket—in case you have to stay in your car for an extended period of time ❉ boots with traction soles and heavy socks—high-heeled shoes and tasseled loafers are not useful for walking in the snow ❉ warm jackets—ones that will fit everyone from the largest household driver to the most petite ❉ food and water for 12 hours, more if you generally have children in the car ❉ flares—if you want people to see you rather than run into you
2. Traction Devices Are Your Friend: Take them home to the warmth of your garage and have every driver in the family practice installing the devices so they can do it when alone. Practice a few times wearing gloves, and for the final test turn off the lights and install the devices using only a flashlight for illumination.
3. Plan Alternative Routes and SafePlaces: Think of other routes home. Know the priority snowplow routes covering your area. In Sammamish, go to ci.sammamish. wa.us/snowroute.aspx and print their Snow & Ice Routes map. In Issaquah, go toci.issaquah.wa.us/Files/snowplowmap.pdf. Put copies of both maps in all vehicles.
4. Beware of False Confidence: It’s fascinating how many of the abandoned cars at the bottom of hilly streets are more expensive models. getting behind the wheel
of a luxury car does not guarantee your ability to get up a snow- or ice-covered hill. With chains, it’s a breeze, but without them that car is just a very expensive toboggan and quite likely to be hit by others, towed and impounded.
5. If You Have Run Out of Options: If you must leave your car, get it out of the travel portion of the roadway. If it’s left in the driving lanes it likely will be ticketed and possibly towed and impounded.
Now go get those traction devices and practice putting them on. ❖
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