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F E E L A T H O M E www.azindiatimes.com PAGE - 17 Jan 2019 1-844-AZINDIA Winter Driving in Arizona By Dr. Kohinoor Kar and Mike Cynecki About The Authors Kohinoor Kar, Ph.D., P.E., PTOE, a professional engineer vastly experienced in roadway, traffic and safety field, has been with the State of Ari- zona for over 14 years. He has published a num- ber of research papers and presented at several prestigious conferences. Dr. Kar serves on sev- eral safety-related advisory committees/panels at the State, national and international levels. He is currently a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University. Michael J. Cynecki, P.E., PTOE retired from the City of Phoenix after a career of 26 years in the Transportation Department, and is currently with the consulting firm of Lee Engineering, LLC. Mr. Cynecki is an Emeritus member of the Transportation Research Board Committee on Pedestrians. Arizona is internationally known for one of the world’s natural wonders – the Grand Canyon. Need- less to say, there are several other attractions, such as the Sedona red rocks, Tombstone, Antelope Canyon, the White Mountains, Montezuma’s Castle, the Petri- fied Forest, Meteor Crater, Kartchner Caverns, Mon- ument Valley, Kitt Peak Observatory, Lowell Obser- vatory (where Pluto was discovered), and 22 different tribal lands. Tourism is one of our leading industries and helps many businesses in our state. The Arizona economy also benefits from a significant number of “snowbirds” flocking to Arizona from all over the country and Canada during the winter months. The climate is beautiful for numerous outdoor activities including skiing in Flagstaff or at Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina mountains north of Tucson, hik- ing or travelling across the state. Winter can be a time of treacherous driving in Arizo- na, especially when travelling outside of the Phoenix/ Tucson metropolitan areas. The higher elevations may be hit by a sudden snowstorm, or may experi- ence freezing road conditions. Inclement weather, driver fatigue, intoxication or driver distractions along with nighttime driving can be a deadly com- bination. You may have seen the warning sign, “BRIDGE ICES BEFORE ROAD.” Do you know what that means? Unfortunately, many drivers don’t. It simply means that the road surface on the bridge may be icy even though the road surface on either approach to the bridge is not icy or slippery. This condition occurs because the insulation of the earth below the road- way may prevent freezing conditions, whereas the bridge does not have that same insulation. Drivers often assume the road surface on a bridge will be in the same condition as the road surface adjacent to the bridge. Another concern is “black ice”, which is a condition when ice forms on the roadway surface that is almost invisible to the naked eye. It may just look like a wet surface or newly paved surface. These conditions typically occur in the higher elevations during winter months. What do you do to ensure your safety while driving this winter in Arizona? Here are some tips: 1. Check weather forecasts before travelling for your route and your destination. 2. Let someone know where you are going and when you are expected to arrive. 3. Make sure your vehicle is “winterized” with proper antifreeze, good windshield wiper blades, plenty of windshield fluid (not just water), and your tires have good tread. 4. Do not drive with foggy or icy windows. Wait un- til your car has fully warmed up and your defrosters have done their job. 5. Drive slower during nighttime conditions and when the road surface may be icy. 6. Drive with the headlights on even during daytime. This will activate the taillights and make your vehicle more visible to others. 7. Provide more distance between you and the vehi- cle ahead of you. 8. Keep your vehicle fuel tank full, or close to full, to avoid running out of gas in remote areas. 9. Most vehicles have antilock brakes – keep your feet steady on the brakes to avoid skidding. If your vehicle skids, steer into the skid. This will in- crease the likelihood of maintaining control of your vehicle. 10. Do not drive fatigued, and never drive while in- toxicated or when using prescription drugs. Do not use your cell phone or any personal electronic device while driving. 11. Always wear your safety belts, and make sure oth- ers in your vehicle are properly restrained. 12. Visit az511.gov or dial 511 for updated road and weather conditions. Living in or visiting Arizona during the winter months can be a beautiful experience. However, you must take responsibility to avoid risks when driving during freezing conditions or inclement weather. Unless a road trip during adverse weather conditions is absolutely necessary, you should make a choice to stay safe simply by not driving during a bad storm or when roads are icy/snowy. Do not put yourself and your family in harm’s way. The authors would appreciate your questions, com- ments or suggestions on future topics via email ( trafficsafetyexpert@gmail.com) . Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and may not necessarily rep- resent the views of the agencies they are affiliated with. Information is for general awareness and not intended to substitute for professional advice, and thus the authors cannot be held accountable for any- thing contained in this article.