The Greening of America is at Hand as St. Pat Takes the Spotlight All Across the Country
 
By Ken Mink, Editor, The Travelling Adventurer The greening of America is coming soon – and we are not just talking about the annual spring rebirth of U. S. lawns, trees and gardens. All across the country cities and towns are gearing up for St. Patrick’s Day parades and celebrations. Most will occur on the holiday itself (March 17) but some will com...

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    Snow & Ice: A Deadly Combination for Winter Travelers in the U. S.

    Many vacationers and others will have to travel some dangerous highways created by snow and ice this winter, so the National Safety Council has offered some safety tips motorists need to know as they hit the road:

    Don’t go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.

    If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared and that you know how to handle road conditions.

    It’s helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you’re familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner’s manual for tips specific to your vehicle.

    Driving safely on icy roads

    1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
    2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
    3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
    4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
    5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
    6. Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
    7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
    8. Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
    9. Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.
    Continue Reading »

    If your rear wheels skid…

    1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
    2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they’re sliding right, steer right.
    3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
    4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
    5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

    If your front wheels skid…

    1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately.
    2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in “drive” or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

    If you get stuck…

    1. Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
    2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
    3. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
    4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
    5. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
    6. Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner’s manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you’re in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.

    Winter weather can impact the ability of drivers to see the roadways,
    traction and even a vehicle’s stability, making proper care and
    preparation a good way to safeguard oneself and loved ones from ensuing
    accidents or auto failures.

    One of the most important aspects of auto safety is auto insurance. But
    while it’s imperative to compare insurance quotes, it can also be vital
    to compare the services offered and other important details, such as
    deductibles.

    In addition to checking your insurance coverage and seeking quotes from
    quality companies, prepping a vehicle is equally important to ensuring
    it is ready for the harsh conditions associated with winter weather.

    Checking out a vehicle’s equipment is imperative for drivers to make
    sure everything is working properly and nothing needs updating or
    replacement. Taking a vehicle to a mechanic is a great way to check
    equipment out and uncover what is working properly and what equipment
    might be aggravated by the hardness of cooler temperature and rougher
    roadways. Car owners should have a mechanic check out the battery,
    lights, antifreeze levels, brakes, wiper blades and heater.

    According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 24 percent of all
    traffic accidents are weather-related, making preparation for inclement
    weather an important part of accident prevention.

    While having a properly running vehicle is a great way to prevent
    break-downs and accidents, having access to items that can make such
    situations more comfortable is also a good way to protect oneself.
    Keeping an emergency supply can bail out drivers who get stuck in snow
    or amongst road hazards or endure a mechanical problem that leaves them
    stranded. Some important items to keep stocked in a truck or beneath a
    seat include; water, non-perishable food items, tire repair kits, phone
    charger, flares and even a method of jumping a battery, such as a
    portable charger. Such items can come in very handy in a variety of
    situations, especially those where a driver and passengers become
    stranded on a roadway or experience mechanical problems with a vehicle
    during cold weather situations.

    On the other hand, knowing what to do during a weather-related
    situation may be as valuable as what vehicle owners keep packed in a
    car or truck. Slippery roadways can sometimes provoke drivers to lose
    control of a vehicle. Scared or surprised, many drivers’ first reaction
    is to regain control, which can sometimes lead to a rollover accident
    or cause a vehicle to slide off the roadway and into nearby trees or
    other debris.

    Instead of overcorrecting a vehicle, taking one’s foot of the gas and
    slowly applying the brakes while gently steering the vehicle to the
    side and out of harm’s way can be a lifesaving action that is good to
    understand before that situation ever arises.