Phillips County Sheriff Thomas Elliott warns drivers to be mindful of traffic control devices and road closures, which may be used to indicate dangerous conditions.
Don’t get caught in the cold when winter storms hit roads across the Midwest
Every year, winter finds motorists unprepared for the challenges of driving in the ice and snow, stranding people for hours and sometimes days until help arrives or conditions improve.
Fortunately, there are steps that drivers can take to prepare in the event that they’re trapped in their vehicle during a winter storm.
For those who need immediate help or whose cars are disabled, law enforcement may be called in to assist. Colorado State Patrol trooper Gary Cutler said he’s used to rescuing unlucky drivers who get trapped in their vehicles during winter storms.
When Cutler was based out of the Fort Morgan area, he often saw motorists caught unprepared by sudden changes in weather.
“Even a light snow can turn into a blizzard,” he said.
Cutler said drivers shouldn’t leave home without a kit including survival essentials like blankets, extra coats, water, snacks and first aid gear. They also won’t go wrong packing a shovel, extra windshield wiper fluid and a car charger for their cellphone.
Phillips County Sheriff Thomas Elliott even suggests military field rations, which have long shelf lives and can be purchased at military surplus stores, as one option for food to include in an emergency kit.
If driving is impossible, your first priority should be making yourself visible to other cars on the road. Elliott said the best way to signal rescuers and ensure you’re not hit by traffic is to stay with your vehicle.
“Turning on your lights is the best thing to do,” he said. “You need to stay in your car so you don’t get struck by another driver.”
Unless you’re within safe walking distance of a shelter, staying inside the car is also the best way of protecting yourself from the elements.
Before you turn on the heat, however, it’s imperative to clear built-up snow from around the car’s exhaust pipe. Cutler and Elliott both warn that running the car without first checking the tailpipe is a recipe for disaster and an easy way of flooding the car’s interior with deadly carbon monoxide gas.
Carbon monoxide cannot be smelled, tasted or seen. It’s easy to overlook the early symptoms of poisoning, which include confusion, fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea and blurred vision. If you or another passenger are presenting with these symptoms, turn off the car, seek fresh air and get medical aid as soon as possible.
If CSP is contacted, Cutler said rescuers will first perform a medical assessment of the driver and any passengers, and make arrangements to transport them to a safe location. If there isn’t room in a trooper’s car, other law enforcement may be called in to assist.
A stranded vehicle may be marked with caution tape to increase its visibility. If the vehicle is disabled, CSP may also call a towing service.
Elliott said that during the April 2018 blizzard his office had to rescue four people, while the Colorado Department of Transportation rescued some others.
The easiest way to avoid getting stuck in the snow is to avoid driving in dangerous conditions unless absolutely necessary.
“If you do have bad road conditions, it’s sometimes better to just do whatever you’re going to do later,” Cutler said.
When traveling in bad conditions, make sure you are driving at an appropriate speed, below the speed limit if necessary. Cutler also suggests investing in chains for extra traction on slippery roads.
Elliott warns drivers not to ignore or try to navigate around road closures, which are used by officials to warn of dangerous road conditions.
Living in the middle of the country means learning how to deal with harsh winters. Being prepared in the event of a winter storm will make it easier to live an active life while waiting for warm weather to return.