by Emily Johnson

Created on: January 08, 2009

The first snow moves into town and news reporters appearing too young to drive tell us to keep kitty litter, charged phone, emergency water, snacks, flares, chains, sleeping bag and coffee-can-with-candle-and-matches in our car to use for heating spam.

I've used the shovel, kitty litter and phone. But the reality is that in this age of cell phones most of us won't camp in our cars very long. Knowing how to avoid accidents is more important.

Prepare your vehicle. Get routine maintenance and ensure your car is winter-ready. Ask about your tire treads.
One of the best investments you'll make is in a good set of snow tires. You will increase your safety and double the life of your all-weather tires.

Keep two jugs of wiper fluid in your car. When the interstate is slushy, it's easy to go through a liter of wiper fluid in a two-hour trip. Always have some in case you need to pull over onto the shoulder. Check your levels each time you stop.

Keep your headlights and tail lights clean. If they're grimy and the snow starts blowing, it can be difficult for others to see your vehicle, even in daylight. Check them at each stop.

Reduce speed by letting up on the gas. Braking can be dangerous and cause you to lose traction. Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you to allow ample time to slow down by letting up on the gas before you need to apply your breaks.

Never use cruise control in rain, ice or snow. When your cruise control is set, the only way to reduce speed is by breaking. That split second it takes to move your foot can be the difference between life and death.

Pay attention to temperatures. Road moisture will freeze at 32 degrees. Be aware of exactly when you reach that freezing point, especially if you haven't seen any maintenance crews in awhile.

If everyone else is driving slower, they know something you don't. This is especially true if you don't know the temperature.

Stay in the right lane. Crews treat right lanes of interstates first. If you must use the passing lane, you're taking a gamble, which explains the vehicles rolled over in the median.

Don't pass semi trucks in a snowstorm unless absolutely necessary. Half-way past the truck, you will be blinded by the typhoon of snow being throw off the semi that will hit you front-on. You either drive on blindly praying that you stay on the road or slow down and take your space behind the truck again.

Stop each hour. Get a cup of coffee even if you don't need gas and chat with other motorists and

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