The Three P’s of safe winter driving are to prepare for the trip, protect yourself and prevent crashes on the road.

PREPARE

• Maintain your car

Check battery and tire tread, keep your windows clear, put no-freeze fluid in the washer reservoir and check your antifreeze.

• Have items 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 cell phone.

• Stopped or stalled

Stay with your car, don’t over exert, put bright markers on antenna or windows and shine dome light, and if you run your car, clear 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

During the daylight rehearse maneuvers slowly on the ice or snow in an empty lot: steer into a skid, know what your brakes will do, stomp on antilock brakes, pump on-antilock brakes. Stopping distances are longer on water-covered ice and ice. 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. Booster seats are for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing car safety seats. Children should stay in a booster seat until adult belts fit correctly, usually when a child reaches about 4′ 9″ in height and is between 8 and 12 years of age. Children 12 and under are much safer in the back seat. Sit back 10 inches from an air bag.

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 and get plenty of rest before the trip, stop at least every three hours and rotate drivers if possible.