RICHARD D. LICHTWARDT

I consider myself a pretty safe person. I take into account the conditions around me, identify the possible hazards and come up with solutions. I use risk management in both military operations and my off-duty activities. Sometimes, however, what I think is a good solution to a hazard isn’t always correct.

It was an exceptionally warm November day for the Fairbanks, Alaska, area. Normally during this time of year, the temperatures were in the single digits. On this particular day, though, the sun was shining and the temperature was above freezing. It was warm the previous day, too, and the ice had melted and the roads were drying out. I figured this would be a good day to visit a place called Chena Hot Springs, which was about 55 miles from my home.

It was almost noon when I began my trip. Since the driving conditions looked good, I took my pickup out of four-wheel drive to save a little gas money. The previous night’s temperatures had dropped below freezing, and the roads were now wet again, but I seemed to be doing OK in two-wheel drive. As I drove through the city, I maintained a safe speed and distance from other vehicles while monitoring the road conditions. I didn’t have a clue that I was about to get into trouble.

I’d covered about five miles and was going up a gentle slope at 50 mph. When I accelerated to maintain my speed, my rear tires lost traction and I began sliding to the right. I turned my wheels in the direction of the slide and slammed on the brakes, trying to avoid going off the road. On either side, there was a 30-foot drop-off with trees and other objects. Instead of stopping, however, my vehicle began sliding backward and sideways toward the left side of the road. I went off the road and down the steep slope, certain my pickup was going to roll over.

Fortunately, there was enough snow on the slope that my vehicle didn’t overturn. Instead, it came to rest at the slope’s bottom. I got out and checked my vehicle and everything seemed fine. As I went on foot to look for a spot to get back onto the road, I realized how lucky I’d been. Fortunately, there hadn’t been any oncoming traffic. I’d also narrowly missed a tree line and cement water pipe.

While walking on a snowmobile trail, I noticed access roads on both sides of me. The problem was these access roads were about 10 feet higher than the trail, and the slope was steep getting up to them. As I headed toward my pickup, I realized someone else could make the same mistake I did and slide off the road and hit my vehicle. I ran back through the snow to my truck, put it in four-wheel drive and drove to one of the access roads. I eventually made it out of the ditch with the help of a tow truck. The tow truck also pulled out another vehicle that had gone off the road the previous evening and struck the tree line about 50 feet from me.

After everything settled down, I thought about what happened and how I could prevent it in the future. I realized because there hadn’t been much traffic and the road was shaded from the sun, it was still icy. I don’t know if using four-wheel drive would have prevented this accident. However, I decided I would keep my truck in four-wheel drive during the winter and always check road conditions with appropriate agencies.



Safe Winter Driving

Snow and ice can make winter driving hazardous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Occupational Safety and Health Administration offer the “Three P’s of Safe Winter Driving” in hopes of preventing motor vehicle injuries due to winter storms.

Prepare

• Maintain your car. Check battery, tire tread, and windshield wipers; keep your windows clear; put no-freeze fluid in the washer reservoir; and check your antifreeze.

• Have on hand. Flashlight, jumper cables, abrasive material (sand, kitty litter, even floor mats), shovel, snow brush and ice scraper, warning devices (like flares) and blankets. For long trips, add food and water, medication and cellphone.

• Stopped or stalled? Stay in your car, don’t overexert, put bright markers on the antenna or windows and shine the dome light, and, if you run your car, clear the exhaust pipe and run it just enough to stay warm.

• Plan your route. Allow plenty of time (check the weather and leave early if necessary), be familiar with the maps/ directions, and let others know your route and arrival time.

• Practice cold weather driving!

o During the daylight, rehearse maneuvers slowly on ice or snow in an empty lot.

o Steer into a skid.

o Know what your brakes will do; stomp on antilock brakes, pump non-antilock brakes.

o Stopping distances are longer on ice.

o Don’t idle for a long time with the windows up or in an enclosed space.

Protect yourself

• Buckle up and use child safety seats properly.

• Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag.

• Children 12 and under are much safer in the back seat.

Prevent crashes

• Drugs and alcohol never mix with driving.

• Slow down and increase distances between cars.

• Keep your eyes open for pedestrians walking in the road.

• Avoid fatigue. Get plenty of rest before the trip, stop at least every three hours and rotate drivers if possible.

• If you are planning to drink, designate a sober driver.