SGT. 1ST CLASS MARK RUMLER
1/166th Regional Training Institute
Pennsylvania National Guard
Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania

As snowflakes began hitting the road, I tightened my grip on the steering wheel of my speed-racing Honda Civic. I could picture my front-wheel-drive hatchback doing 360s down the highway. But I had an important briefing at work and, as the leader, calling out wasn’t an option. I’d have to fight the worsening conditions on Interstate 78.

In the past, I’d mistakenly underestimated the weather’s wrath when behind the wheel. This vehicle was never meant to be a winter warrior, and I found this out the hard way when I ended up almost sliding into a ditch a year prior when attempting to make it up a hill after driving through snow and ice. I drove myself into a challenging situation to navigate with zero traction and what seemed like a line of a hundred cars following me up the road. Luckily, I was able to steer myself into some tracks other vehicles had made on the side of the road to continue my commute.

On this day, however, visibility was rapidly declining as the snow increased in intensity. The Civic’s wiper blades heroically tried to keep the windshield clear while I maintained a proper 10-and-2 grip on the steering wheel. Traffic was moving slowly, as several large semi-trucks helped clear a path in the right lane. Every once in a while, though, some maverick would attempt to pull into the left lane to pass, only to hit a slick spot and slide back into the right lane.

I focused on slow acceleration and braking, avoiding any abrupt motion of my steering wheel. I left ample distance between surrounding cars and trucks, wary of reduced traction. I was constantly looking and thinking of what-ifs when, suddenly, brake lights flashed ahead. A large white pickup truck slid from left to right and then back to the left. I lightly pressed my brake pedal, allowing the tires to slow down but remain moving. The white pickup driver was just inches away from crashing into a tractor-trailer when, luckily, his wheels gripped the road and he regained control. After a few expletives, I caught my breath and continued cautiously. The rest of my drive was tense but uneventful. My Civic and I eventually pulled safely into the parking lot — though 20 minutes late for my briefing.

In retrospect, I should have left the house earlier that morning to give myself more time to get to work. Sometimes the mission must go on, even in nasty driving conditions. In the future, I’ll use these winter-driving tips I’ve learned over the years through the Army Safety Program:

• Slow down! Reducing your speed gives you more reaction time on slick roads.
• Know your vehicle’s limitations. Just because your speed-racing Honda Civic has all-season tires doesn’t mean it can handle a blizzard. Consider the weather forecast and road conditions before heading out.
• Equip your vehicle. Keep a winter safety kit in the car with an ice scraper, jumper cables, flashlights, a few warm woobies, and some delicious, non-perishable snacks.
• Don’t press your luck. If conditions worsen beyond your or your vehicle’s capabilities, exit the highway and wait. Arriving late is better than crashing or sitting in a ditch.