Driving in Bad Weather

• If driving becomes too difficult or unsafe, pull off the road onto the shoulder and stop.  Do not park under any trees or other tall ojects that could fall on your vehicle. 
• Turn on your emergency flashers while the worst of the weather passes  you by.
• Stay in your car when lightning is present for safety. 
• Avoid touching any metal or conducting surfaces outside or inside the vehicle in case of a lightning strike.  They can travel through wet ground to your car. The steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.
• Look out for flooding.
• Watch out for downed branches and power lines or other debris lying in the road after the storm
• Hail associated with thunderstorms can hamper visibility and may shatter windshields.

• First option.  Wait until the fog clears before driving.
• However, if you come upon fog unexpectedly, slow down and allow yourself extra time to get to your destination.
• Reduce your speed and put more distance between yourself and other vehicles,
• Make your vehicle more visible to others on the road.  Turn on your low beam headlights or fog lights.
• Never use your high beams.  They cause glare which, instead of making your vision better, reduces your vision in the poor lighting.
• Turn on your defroster and windshield wipers.  Fog can create a moisture build up on your windshield.
• Be especially alert for slow moving vehicles and possible stopped traffic ahead.
• In heavy fog, roll all your windows down. You may actually hear other cars before you see them.
• To help you stay in your lane, follow the line on the rightside of the road with your eyes.  Don't use the center pavement lines because it might move you closer to oncoming cars. 
• Extremely dense fog: turn on your hazard lights, and then get off the road into a safe locations such as a parking lot.  

• Be prepared in advance of the weather event.  This means packing your car with your emergency kit and filling your gas tank.
• Prepare the vehicle, including checking tire pressure and windshield wiper blades. 
• You may be ordered to evacuate. Listen to the radio for instructions. Be familiar with designated evacuation routes and use them.  Bring a map.  
• Bring a charger in the car to power up your phone.
• A battery jump starter is an excellent addition to your vehicle's emergency kit.  In addition to jump-starting your car’s battery, a battery jump starter can also be used to recharge portable devices, such as mobile phones and tablets.
• When told to evacuate, do so with caution and drive safely. Avoid speeding, especially in the rain. The faster you drive, the greater the risk of hydroplaning—when water causes a vehicle’s tires to lift off the road surface. Stick to major roads and avoid shortcuts that may not have emergency personnel working to keep the road clear.  
• Watch for downed utility lines, trees, and debris from hurricane force winds.

• Never attempt to drive through flood waters. The water may be deeper than it looks and relatively shallow water is definitely hazardous.  One foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away..
• If you happen to drive into an area where water is running swiftly, the force of the current may pull your car to one side. If this happens, ease off the gas pedal, but don't touch the brakes. Then, steer away from the swift water.
• If your car is caught in a flash flood, get out of your car immediately and move to higher ground.
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
• Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car.

• First option.  Stay home!  Follow emergency notifications from state, county and local officials about declared States of Emergency.
• Before driving, thoroughly clean ice and snow off all windows, the hood, the roof, and the trunk as required by NJ state law. 
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly.  Increase your following distance to five to six seconds. You will need much more stopping distance on icy roads than on dry surfaces.
• Try to avoid coming to a complete stop.  If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.  It's easier to keep moving than to start moving again from a full stop.  
• Remember, bridges and overpasses usually freeze first. Slow down when approaching them.
• If caught in a blizzard, stay in your car with a window partially open. It provides temporary shelter and you are more visible to possible rescuers.  Don't forget to clear the snow away from your tailpipe to reduce the possibility of poisoning from carbon monoxide gas.
• Keep warm.  Run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour to stay warm. Use whatever is available in the vehicle to insulate your body from the cold. Think outside the box: even floor mats, newspapers or paper maps could work.  Of course, keeping blankets and heavy clothing in the vehicle in case of an emergency would be ideal.

• Never try to outrun a tornado.  They can have very erratic paths with speeds approaching 70 MPH.   They can change direction in an instant.
• Get off the road as soon as possible. It is often better to leave the road completely than to pull over to the side. Try to get to an indoor shelter . Look for a sturdy building and get to the basement or an interior room.
• If you cannot reach shelter, stay low in your car, with your seat belt fastened.  Put your head down below the window to avoid broken glass –cover it with your hands or a blanket if you have one.
• If you can't find shelter in a safe building and a neaby depression is lower, lie flat in the ditch or gully with your arms over your head.
• You are not safer stopping under bridges and tunnels. These over and under passes channel high winds, making them more dangerous than being out in the open.

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