Tips for traveling safely as winter weather bears down

Winter has officially arrived, and the second week of January brought us our first snow storm of the year. In 2021, there were an estimated 121,156 police-reported crashes that occurred when there was snow/sleet conditions at the time of the crash. With that in mind, follow the tips below while driving in the weather to better protect yourself and others this time of year:

• Slow down and give yourself plenty of distance between vehicles.
• Don’t use cruise control, including adaptive cruise control, when driving in snow, ice, or slush.
• If you have to use your brakes, apply them gently.
• Driving uphill, leave plenty of room between other cars or wait until it’s clear so you don’t have to stop part way up. Keep a constant speed and try to avoid having to change gear on the hill.

If you find yourself in an emergency situation…

• Stay with your car and don’t overexert yourself. 
• Let your car be seen. Put out your company issued triangles and turn on your flashers.
• Be mindful of carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of any snow and run your car only sporadically — just long enough to stay warm. Don’t run your car for long periods of time with the windows up or in an enclosed space.

The Safety Department and Management would like to thank everyone for following the rules of the road and all company policies while operating a motor vehicle. If anyone has any issues with their vehicle, please contact the fleet asset manager for assistance:

Rich Diaz
Cell: 413-977-6713
Email: rdiaz@elmelec.com