How to Survive being Stranded in your Car during a Blizzard

Via MattarMedia - It's the last day of our Survival Series and we have one more "what if" to cover. If you haven't read the first two blog posts in this series, from Monday and Wednesday, check out how to survive those situations now.

Today's scenario:

There is a terrible blizzard outside and your car has broken down. You are traveling alone on an unfamiliar rural road, with no houses in sight, and your cell phone has no service. What should you do:

1. Get out of your car and walk until you find help.
2. Stay in your car and wait out the storm.
3. Get out of the car and try to start a fire nearby to keep you warm.
4. Build a snowman.

Chances are you don't have any carrot "noses" or button "eyes" handy, so let's skip #4 as a possibility. The best thing to do in this situation is to stay in your car (#2). Unless you can actually see a house or business from your vehicle, do not attempt to go out in the snow for help. In blowing and drifting snow, it is easy to become disoriented and you may wander off the road or be unable to find your way back to the car.

As recommended by FEMA, here are some tips on what you can do if you get stranded during a snowstorm:

• Turn on hazard lights and hang a distress flag from the radio antenna or window.
  
• Remain in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you.
  
• Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, open window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
  
• Exercise lightly to maintain body heat and circulation, but avoid overexertion.
  
• In extreme cold, use road maps, seat covers, and floor mats for insulation.
  
• Be careful not to waste battery power.
  

Once you have regained service on your cell phone, you can call for help. Next week, we will discuss what you should keep in your car for emergency situations like this and others.

"Look out!" Avoiding Obstacles in the Road

Via MattarMedia - One of the big hazards motorcycle riders face is dealing with obstacles on the road. How should you handle an obstacle? Well, there are essentially two options: slow down or go around it. Do you know the rules for when you should to do which?

According to one safety site, the general rule is that when you are traveling under 50 MPH, you should brake. When traveling 50 MPH or faster, you should try to maneuver around the hazard because the distance needed for braking increases with increased speed.

Some common hazards to avoid include:

Leaves: So pretty in the fall but far more dangerous than they appear, especially if wet.

Small animals: Hitting a very small animal can be treacherous, especially on a smaller motorcycle.

Standing water: Don't just charge through water like you would in a car. Depending on tires you can hydroplane which will make the bike feel like it's on ice. If you are unlucky enough to experience this make no steering inputs and ride straight on through.

Ice: A pretty clear danger. Stay off the roads in icy conditions and beware of early mornings, even in warmer fall and spring weather.

Snow: Another one to avoid. If you have to do it, make minimal traction demands and remain smooth.

We encourage you to watch this video which highlights the importance of staying aware of your surroundings when you are riding a motorcycle. "If Only" obstacles were clearly labeled like this, there would be far fewer accidents and fatalities.

Woman thrown from SUV following rollover crash

Via MattarMedia LaFayette (WSYR-TV) – State Police say a Syracuse University student was seriously injured Tuesday morning when she rolled her SUV over and was ejected from the vehicle.

The driver, 21-year-old Rachel Pigott from Utah, got caught up in the snow along the side of the road, lost control of her SUV and rolled over several times.

The crash happened around 8:45am on Lafayette Road, near Reidy Hill Road, in the Town of LaFayette.

Investigators say Pigott was driving too fast for the conditions. She was listed in serious condition at University Hospital.

State Police say she was very lucky since she did not hit her head on the pavement when she was thrown from the SUV.

Police did not immediately issue any tickets.

Some Towns Won't Cover Property Damage By Snowplows

Via MattarMedia - In the winter season we're thankful when a snowplow comes through and clears our street. But what happens if the plow hits and damages our property? Well, some towns won't cover the costs.

Ruby Skroback lives in the Town of Allegany and says she has parked her vehicles along the road in front of her house for 60 years. But last month her car was hit by a town snowplow. "He got my tail light, and the back panel, and my door," Skroback said.

A week after the incident, she and her daughter received a letter saying the town wouldn't cover the cost. "I pay the $500 deductible out of my own pocket. I don't have money for that," Skroback said. "What bothers me is {the town's} insurance won't take care of it... this will raise my insurance."

Allegany Town Supervisor Pat Eaton says the current insurance policies show the town isn't liable. And he says there have only been two snowplow related accidents in the area in 25 years. "The law is and the company's policy is when you're plowing during snow removal it's in essence a snow emergency. And whatever accidents occur, the town is not liable," Eaton said. "We're sympathetic towards these people, we really are but we don't want to start gifting taxpayers' money. When the insurance company says 'no we're not gonna pay' and the law says 'you don't have to pay' and when towns start paying, you're in a gray area now because you're gifting taxpayers' money."

In several larger cities including Buffalo, the policies are different. Snowplow accidents are treated like any other accident. If an investigation shows the city snowplow driver was at fault, then the city's insurance covers damages.

Drivers should prepare for conditions

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - With tricky driving conditions it's important for people to be prepared before hitting the road.

In this case we're not talking about the things you should have in your car. Instead, we've spoken to the experts about the things drivers should and should not do on the road.

In just three days the New York State Thruway in parts of western New York was the scene of several disasters. A winter storm on Thursday and Friday brought traffic to a standstill.

We all know drivers can't control the weather, but a spokesperson for the New York State Thruway Authority says people can control the way they drive.

"You have to be very careful of the distance. You know drive safely, but allow more distance between your vehicle and others," said spokesperson Donna Luh.

Had one driver done that on Saturday, there's a good chance a State Police Trooper would not have been rear ended in the eastbound lane between the Batavia and Pembroke Exits.

"She was rear ended by a vehicle that did not stop in time," said Sgt. Gregory Peron.

Keeping enough distance between cars is even more important when it rains and snows.

Luh explained, "The speed limits are posted for ideal driving conditions, but people have to remember during these weather conditions it's necessary to slow down."

The cause of this fatal crash in the Town of Pembroke remains under investigation, but 33-year-old Julie Stratton survived hitting a deer only to get hit by a tractor trailer minutes later.

Her vehicle became disabled in the westbound lane but State Police tell us other vehicles were able to avoid her before the truck driver slammed into her.

"If we have to speak louder and get our message out more we will do that," said Luh.

Experts say crashes are still bound to happen.

"We have a lot of car/deer accidents and we have a lot of minor fender bender accidents. When it's possible and if you're able to, safely move your vehicle off the road," said Sgt. Peron.

What if you can't move your vehicle? Should you stay in it?

State Police say it depends.

Sgt. Peron said, "Where they are, what the visibility is, what the weather's like."

First Measurable Snow Of Season Results In Plenty Of Accidents

Via MattarMedia - The north country saw its first measurable snowfall Tuesday morning and as a result, law enforcement officials saw plenty of weather related accidents.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating a head-on collision on State Route 126 in the Town of Rutland early Tuesday morning.

According to reports, Claire Vincent, from West Carthage, was driving a Ford pick-up truck towards Watertown when she attempted to pass an un-involved vehicle.

Realizing she did not have enough time to pass, she tried to return to her lane, lost control on the snow covered road and swerved back into the on-coming lane.

Vincent struck Karen Shepis, from Watertown, who was driving a Chrysler sedan head-on.

Both were transported to Samaritan Medical Center.

Shepis was transferred to a Syracuse hospital while Vincent was treated for minor injuries and released.

A helicopter was originally called to the scene, but was grounded due to weather.

Officials say charges are pending.

Meanwhile in Canton, a sports utility vehicle rolled over onto its top on Riverside Drive.

Police said snowy conditions contributed to the accident.

No one was seriously hurt; both people in the GMC Yukon were wearing seat belts.

Tow truck drivers were busy throughout the morning Tuesday.

"The roads are getting slick so slow down, take your time, leave home earlier if you're headed to work or school and drive safely," said Kevin Mousaw of the Canton Police Department.

In the town of Canton on Waterman Hill Road, a red car needed to be fetched out of a ditch.

Police said the driver lost control on the snow and ice covered road.

The driver was able to crawl out of the car.