Office of Risk Management
Driving in Inclement
Weather
Inclement Weather includes:
 Ice
 Snow
 Rain
 Fog
 Wind
 Any other natural hazard or factor
This training will focus on ice and snow but
will touch on the other issues listed above.
Ice & Snow
 Rule #1 – If you do not have to drive in the
snow and ice, then don’t.
 Evaluate the situation and decide if you
need to drive.
 Many functions of the University shut
down during inclement weather and the
work may be able to wait.
Ice & Snow
 Rule #2 – Evaluate the weather
conditions.
 Often conditions will improve in the
afternoon if you can wait.
 Check the weather to see if the snow will
continue or let up.
 Rule #3 – Evaluate your vehicle’s
capability.
 A two (rear wheel) wheel drive vehicle like
a small pickup or van will not do well in
snow and ice.
 Four wheel drives can drive through snow
easier but are still limited when it come to
accelerating or stopping on ice.
 Front wheel drive sedans perform ok in the
snow.
 Automatic transmissions are less
responsive than manual transmissions
because the driver has less control over
the flow of power to the wheels.
 With a manual transmission you can push
in the clutch and cut the power to the
wheels. You can also accelerate slower
giving the tires more chance to grip.
 Unfortunately many people do not know
how to drive manual transmissions
anymore.
 Inspect your vehicle to make sure that it is
fit for winter weather driving.
 Check the tire pressure and tread.
 Fill the gas tank.
 Check the windshield washer fluid.
Fish Tailing
 Too much power to a rear wheel drive
vehicle will lead to “fish tailing” on a wet or
icy road. Fish Tailing occurs when the rear
of the vehicle swings from side to side with
little or no control.
 Over correction by the driver leads to the
sometimes violent swinging from side to
side.
Fish Tailing
 If your vehicle starts to fish tail, let off the
gas and use small corrections to the wheel
to get your vehicle pointed forward.
Spinning Out
 When someone “spins out” the rear of the
comes around can cause the vehicle to
spin halfway around or in complete circles
under certain circumstances.
 Driving to fast or braking too hard on
curves often causes someone to spin out.
Accelerating
 Accelerating on ice and snow can be
difficult especially if you are sitting on an
incline.
 Accelerate slowly giving the tires a chance
to grab traction.
 Keep you wheels pointed forward until you
start to move before attempting to turn.
 Turning your wheels before you are
moving will cause your wheels to spin.
 Rule #4 – Consider your route of travel.
 Sometimes a certain road will take you
straight up a steep hill when a better option
may be to take a longer way around using a
less steep route.
 Avoid stopping on a hill in the snow. If you
see vehicles stopped ahead of you, slow
down and give them time to clear before you
get to an intersection.
Intersections
 Make sure other vehicles can come to a
complete stop before you enter the
intersection, even if you have the right of
way.
Black Ice
 “Black Ice” is the layman’s term for clear
ice on black asphalt that is almost
impossible to see from a moving vehicle.
 Black ice is common in this area because
day time temperatures will rise above 32
degrees F causing
Pedestrians in the Streets
 Often excessive snows will force
pedestrians to walk in the streets.
 Sidewalks can be covered with plowed
snow.
Getting Stuck & Then Unstuck
 If you become stuck, make sure there are
no vehicles coming before you try to exit
your vehicle.
 Turn on your 4 way flashers before you exit.
 If you are calling someone to come pull
you out, stand clear of the vehicle and
other traffic.
Getting Stuck & Then Unstuck
 If you are going to dig yourself out:
 Try to identify which tire(s) do not have
traction.
 Dig under and around the tire. Look up often
to see if there are any vehicles coming.
 If you have any sand or salt, put it under the
tire for traction.
You may have to repeat this process several
times to free yourself.
Following & Stopping Distances
 Give yourself more following space.
 If you are approaching a stop sign or light
going down hill, apply your brakes well in
advance of the intersection to make sure
that you can stop before the sign/light.
 Use an alternative route that avoids steep hills
if possible.
Heavy Snow
 Heavy snows and ice can bring down
power lines, tree limbs, entire trees and
even buildings.
 Be aware of these obstacles especially if
you get off the main roads onto access
drives and sidewalks.
Emergency Kits
 Emergency kits are important for long trips
or in remote areas but no but not as
important for driving on campus.
 On campus you are generally within easy
walking distance of a building even during
the most severe weather.
Emergency Kits
 What you should have:
 Fully charged cell phone or radio.
 An extra set of dry cloths including gloves,
socks and shoes/boots.
 Water bottle
 Snacks (stores maybe closed)
 Shovel (to dig yourself out)
Fog
 Dense fog can severely limit your ability to
see when driving.
 Use your fog lights if your vehicle is
equipped with them.
 DO NOT use your brights as it will limit
your visibility and the visibility of those
driving toward you.
Fog
 Never attempt to do a U-Turn in the fog.
 Instead, make a turn into a parking lot,
preferably at a stop light and turn around.
High Water
 Do not attempt to cross running water that
is more than a couple inches deep.
 Do not drive through water if you are
unsure of the depth or cannot see the
road.
 Do not cross bridges that have water
flowing over them.
Hydroplaning
 Hydroplaning occurs when tires are not in
contact with the road surface. A layer of
water is between the tire and the road
surface.
 Slowing down will generally eliminate
hydroplaning.
Wind
 High winds can turn over a vehicle or force
you out of your travel lane.
 High winds affect vehicles such as box
trucks, work vans or other high sided
vehicles more that your normal car and
pickup.
 Slow down when driving a high profile
vehicle.
THE END