Winter weather tips for Altus drivers Published Dec. 19, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Megan E. Acs 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- During November's brief introduction to icy winter weather, Mike Matthews, 97th Air Mobility Wing ground safety manager, found himself driving home from Oklahoma City hours earlier than he would have due to the incoming bad weather. When the weather started acting up, he had just reached his destination of Oklahoma City, and already he had seen multiple accidents and three overturned cars. A drive home that normally takes two hours for Matthews wound up taking him twice as long. Driving in ice or snow can be hazardous, but to be safe, it's important to take extra precautions during the winter months. "When you have bad weather, the first question you want to ask yourself is, do you need to drive at all?" said Matthews. "The best precaution you can take, especially when it comes to icy roads is don't drive." In the event your vehicle is caught sliding across black ice, the worst thing to do is apply the brakes. Braking, or accelerating on ice causes further loss of control of the vehicle. The most you can do is slow down as much as you can, and take your foot off the gas. Steer with the slide. Not against it. If you steer in the opposite direction, you'll lose control. Something that is always good to have on hand is an emergency kit, said Matthews. Examples of items to keep on hand include: An ice scraper and snow shovel Sand or kitty litter, to help your traction in case your vehicle gets stuck in snow Jumper cables Flashlight Warning lights or flares Blankets for protection from the cold A cell phone with a charger Water, food, and any necessary medicine In order to pass on accurate information, the safety office often turns to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which suggests vehicle owners get their car serviced to ensure it is in optimal condition to handle winter weather. Part of the servicing should include checking the vehicle thoroughly for leaks and any other damaged parts that may need replacing. Additionally, other parts that should be inspected are the battery, cooling system, windshield wipers, defrosters, the floor mat should be checked for a proper fit, and the windshield washer reservoir should be filled. "Most places you can get an oil change at do the whole spectrum. They check your tire pressure, water pressure, your radiator, your oil. Like getting a physical checkup, you need a vehicle checkup," he said. Matthews agrees that an overall vehicle checkup is one of the first things that should be done as winter approaches. Ultimately, it's important for drivers to know their vehicle, and to exercise extreme caution if they must drive during snowy or icy conditions. If driving is unavoidable, plan the trip in advance and allow plenty of time to get to the destination by checking the weather forecast for that area. Oklahoma has one of the finest weather forecasts, said Matthews. It'll give you the road conditions where you're going, and you want to find that out first before you drive anywhere. For more information contact your unit safety representative, the 97th safety office, or visit www.nhtsa.gov for more winter safety tips.