Getting There: Time to get ready for winter driving

As winter and the holidays draw near, there is an important type of preparation worth undertaking: getting ready for winter driving.

There is no shortage of tips out there, but the most important one is to make sure your vehicle is in good working condition.

Having sufficient coolant, battery life, tire pressure and traction tires or cable chains are all worth paying attention to, experts said.

The Washington Department of Transportation has a winter driving page with links off the DOT main homepage at wsdot.wa.gov.

The Washington State Patrol has a winter driving page at wsp.wa.gov/traveler/winter.htm.

Once the vehicle is up to snuff, it is time to consider what to carry when you venture out.

The DOT recommends warm clothing, including boots, a hat and gloves, as well as a first-aid kit, flashlight, ice scraper, snow brush, flares, jumper cables, water and snacks.

Emergency supplies are the most critical for trips through remote areas between cities. Consider what you might need if you were in an accident or slid off the road and the engine stopped running.

It is a good idea to set out with a full tank of gas and carry a charger for the cellphone.

The DOT puts it this way: “You never know whether you will encounter winter weather or emergency road closure.”

Once you set out on snowy roads, resist the urge to drive the normal speed. It’s generally a good idea to slow down and leave a lot of extra distance for stops and turns. When turning, baby the wheel and go slowly to prevent the tires from losing traction and skidding sideways.

Sometimes high-speed routes, including Interstate 90, can become more dangerous than first appearance due to melting snow, slush and water freezing into a layer of ice that is hard to see. In cases like that, going 35 mph or slower might be the safest.

Numerous accidents occur during snow and ice events each year, largely because drivers are going too fast. Multivehicle pileups are common.

While the past two winters were relatively mild with below-normal snowfall, the coming winter may be snowier than normal, experts said.

As a result, snow driving skills are going to be rusty and a lot of drivers may get into trouble before they catch on.

Experts say that all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles may provide extra traction, but they are no better at slowing or stopping on ice than two-wheel-drive vehicles. A false sense of security can lead to trouble.

DOT also wants drivers to stay away from snowplows and give them room to do their work.

Chain-up areas at mountain pass approaches can be congested with pedestrians. When heavy mountain snow falls, passes may be closed to provide crews time to clear the pavement.

While snow is the focus of winter driving in Eastern Washington, there is still a big risk of flooding and water on roadways. Six inches of water can cause a vehicle to stall. A foot can cause a driver to lose control. Two feet of water can sweep a vehicle away.

“Turn around. Don’t drown,” the DOT said.

As Spokane residents know from last November, a strong windstorm presents its own dangers. It’s best to seek shelter and wait out the storm. Downed power lines and falling trees or branches can cause injury or death. Two residents were killed in the Nov. 17, 2015, storm that packed winds up to 71 mph.

In Spokane

In Spokane, work on Monroe and Lincoln streets from Main to Second avenues will continue with a new round of paving on Wednesday, weather permitting.

On 37th Avenue, crews are still finishing up and the road is closed from Freya to Custer streets.

Pettet Drive remains closed during the duration of a stormwater retention tank at a cost of $7.4 million.

Leaf pickup has started around the city. Residents are reminded not to rake leaves into the street. Cannon Hill and Manito Park areas should be the focus of cleanup this week.

In Spokane County

Traffic on Country Homes Boulevard is down to one lane in each direction due to work in the stormwater median.

Also, lane restrictions are in place in the vicinity of Wandermere Golf Course.

On state highways

Striping work is set for later this week on U.S. Highway 395 at Burroughs Road, which may cause delays.

In Spokane Valley

Lane and turn restrictions are still in place at the Sullivan Road bridge project.