Stranded on the road in winter weather? Use these tips to prepare and stay safe
Drivers can sometimes become stranded in their vehicles after experiencing extreme weather, such as snow or icy roads, or because of car trouble.
It might seem like a freak occurrence, and you might think that you’d never be caught in a similar situation.
But it happened on Interstate 95 in Northern Virginia after a crash during a snow storm in January 2022, and it happened in North Carolina in 2014 when a similar accident left Triangle drivers stuck in traffic during snowy conditions for hours.
That’s why it’s important to keep yourself and your vehicle prepared for such an event.
Here are some tips for how to prepare, including what to keep in your emergency kit, as well as what to do if you find yourself stranded in an emergency situation.
What to keep in an emergency kit
Many drivers stranded on I-95 in 2022 reported not having enough food, water or warm cover to make it through the night comfortably. Having an emergency kit in your car is a key step to avoiding a similar situation if you ever get stranded.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation recommends all cars have a basic supply kit that includes:
▪ Ice scraper
▪ Snow brush
▪ Extra windshield wiper fluid
▪ Extra anti-freeze
▪ Basic automotive tool kit, including jumper cables and safety flares
NCDOT also recommends keeping the following items in your car in case you get stranded:
▪ Flashlight
▪ First aid kit
- The National Safety Council recommends including gauze, tape, bandages, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, non-latex gloves, scissors, hydrocortisone, thermometer, tweezers and instant cold compress.
▪ Blanket
- Winter weather gear, such as gloves, hats and scarfs, might also help keep you warm.
▪ Shovel
▪ Sand, salt or non-clumping cat litter (to give your tires traction if you get stuck)
▪ Non-perishable snacks
- The National Safety Council recommends high-energy snacks, such as unsalted nuts, dried fruits and hard candy.
▪ Drinking water
The National Safety Council recommends the following additional items for your kit:
▪ A properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod jack
▪ Extra batteries (for your flashlight or other electronics)
▪ Reflective triangles and brightly colored cloth (to make your vehicle more visible)
▪ Compass
▪ Reflective vest (in case you need to walk to get help)
▪ Car charger for your cell phone
▪ Fire extinguisher
▪ Duct tape
▪ Rain poncho
If you have pets and travel with them, make sure to include in your kit provisions for them, too. That can include:
▪ Pet food
▪ Extra drinking water
▪ Extra blankets
▪ Leash, collar and harness
The National Safety Council also recommends keeping family and emergency phone numbers, including your auto insurance provider and a towing company, in your phone.
What to do if you get stuck or stranded
If you get stuck in snow or ice in North Carolina, try these tips from NCDOT and the N.C. Department of Public Safety to get un-stuck:
▪ Contact State Highway Patrol by dialing *HP (*47) on your phone.
▪ Don’t spin your wheels. Doing so will only dig you in deeper. Instead, turn your wheels from side to side to help clear the snow, then turn the steering wheel so the tires are as straight as possible.
▪ Use a shovel — remember, you should keep one in your vehicle’s emergency kit — to clear the snow in front of and behind your tires. You should also clear snow from the exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide build up inside the car.
▪ Spread non-clumping cat litter, sand or salt in the cleared areas around your tires. This will help you gain traction. Remember, you should keep at least one of these items in your emergency kit.
▪ If you aren’t able to get un-stuck using the methods above, you could try rocking your vehicle back and forth. Shift from forward to reverse and back again, using a light touch on the gas pedal. Resist the temptation to spin your wheels. Warning: Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual first, as some vehicle transmissions might be damaged using this strategy.
If you are unable to get your car un-stuck and think you may become stranded, use these tips from The Weather Channel:
▪ Ensure that the exterior exhaust on the car is clear of snow to prevent carbon monoxide buildup in the car.
▪ Stay in your car. Do not leave to search for assistance. You may become disoriented and lost in blowing and drifting snow. If you see a building close by, it may be safe to leave your car and take shelter there.
▪ Turn your car off. Turn it on every once in a while to heat it up, but otherwise, keep it off to conserve gas.
- It’s important to make sure you have at least a half-tank of gas before driving in winter weather. This will help you run your car and heat for longer.
▪ Check the exterior exhaust every time you turn the heat on to ensure snow has not accumulated.
▪ Aside from using the blanket or warm clothes in your emergency kit, you can keep warm by doing small exercises. Try short sets of flutter kicks or push-ups.
▪ Stay hydrated. If you don’t have water in your emergency kit, or you run out, you can melt snow to use as water.
▪ Keep your seat belt on and put on your hazard lights. Even if you have pulled over, people can still hit you.
How to prepare your car for winter driving
Before you ever find yourself stranded in snow and ice, there are ways to prepare your car for winter weather.
Ready.gov, a national public service campaign, also recommends routinely checking the following features on your car, that way they’re in good shape in case of an emergency:
▪ Antifreeze levels
▪ Battery and ignition system
▪ Brakes
▪ Exhaust system
▪ Fuel and air filters
▪ Heater and defroster
▪ Lights and flashing hazard lights
▪ Oil
▪ Thermostat
▪ Windshield wiper equipment and washer fluid level
And remember: Before venturing out in winter weather, always make sure you have at least a half-tank of gas and a full reservoir of windshield wiper fluid. Even short commutes can turn into long drives when storms hit, so you want to make sure you have enough gas to last your entire trip — including for running your heat if you become stranded.
This story was originally published January 4, 2022 at 1:20 PM.
