Winter safety tips while at the wheel

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Caleb Pierce
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. --  It's that time of year where Jack Frost nips at your nose at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. How will you prepare for the winter?

The 19th Airlift Wing safety office educates everyone on the things that can be done to prepare for the winter.

The safety office is stressing the Air Mobility Command's winter safety campaign that runs from Nov. 22 through Jan. 24, 2014, to raise awareness throughout the winter months and help prevent common mishaps.

"We're going to gear in on travel safety toward trip planning, while you're out and about, winter driving, "winterizing" your vehicle, and things like that," said Rick Myers, 19th Airlift Wing ground safety manager.

"Winterizing" your vehicle includes: making sure your wipers are in good condition, windshield wiper fluid is at an appropriate level, proper antifreeze for cold weather, and proper tire tread and tire pressure. In addition, common habits like clearing all windows of ice and snow will aid in better visibility.

Not only will having the right tools help during the winter, but also looking out for common hazards while driving, such as inclement road conditions, black ice, snow, wildlife and inattentive driving, will help in staying mishap free on the road.

"During the 2012 season, private motorized vehicles and sports and recreation were the categories with the greatest number of mishaps for the winter months," said Myers.
We are reminded during the winter months to adhere to road and weather conditions. One should always check the weather conditions of travel destinations even distances as small as to and from work.

While out and about during these chilly months, Myers said to always be sure to do the right, proper and safe thing using risk management.

"Risk management, use it," said Myers. "That's what this is all about, applying personal risk management to what they are going to do over the winter months, [like] planning for trips. Just use risk management for everything that you do. Just stop and think about what you're going to do before you do it."

For information on inclement weather, one can check out the Little Rock AFB Facebook page, www.littlerock.af.mil, 501-987-HERK, local news media or contact the base safety office.

For latest road conditions, go to the following websites:

http://www.idrivearkansas.com (for Arkansas)
http://www.arkansashighways.com (for Arkansas)
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/Trafficinfo (Other States)