Snow is an integral part of your life because you chose to live in a place that gets a lot of snow. It can be challenging once in a while for some, all the time for others. We live in a society and no one wants to get blamed for anything or cause any negativity to others even if its something silly.
Lets take a look at different snow situations.
- Your own home: You always try to clear the snow from the driveway. So if possible try to clear the snow from the side walk and around the fire hydrant; definitely if its near your property.
- Living in an Apartment: If it’s an apartment complex, most probably your car is parked outside in an open parking lot with others. Unless if the apartment complex require you to move your car during a major or minor snow storm, its just a good gesture and for the convenience of the cleaning crew, just move your car to a cleared area and wait for the cleaning crew to clear the snow from your regular parking spot. People tend not to come out of their house until the snow is over or till the end of the day and that’s not helping the cleaning crew because they will have to make another trip to clear that snow. Just think that even though its part of their job they are out there to help us all out. So you help them to help us do their job quicker in tough weather conditions.
- Roads:
- Local: The most treacherous portion when you drive because local roads get cleaned slowly, there is a chance that you will have hard time maneuvering….
- Highways: Mostly clear depend upon whether they started plowing or waiting for the snow to be over. Always check the Traffic cameras to see if the highways are clear.
Its a snow day. You can’t go 80 miles on a snowy road and get to places 10 minutes early. There will always be a delay. Call and let the person/work know that you will be late. Plan on leaving early on Snow days. Its not worth risking your life or others because you have to reach places on a snow day on time. This applies to people who has a small car with probably almost worn tires or people who have suv’s with brand new tires vice versa. If there is ice underneath the snow, no vehicles out there will have the perfect control. You will be literally skiing in a vehicle for free.
I couldn’t resist writing this quick blog, because of the great deal of snow over the past couple of weeks and observing some of the following driving habits of others.
- Thick 5 inch sheet on top of your vehicle: You are not transporting that thick sheet of ice to a summery area of the country but it only inviting dangers to other drivers. That sheet of thick snow or ice will fall on to other vehicles which can definitely cause distraction or some damage. Not helping. It may take 5 extra minute of time to clear that snow or start clearing the top portion of your vehicle first. Please do that, please.
- Always clear the snow from the areas of lights: The other day a person was driving with snow around break lights and signal lights. Not sure what was the point of putting the signal or hitting the break. It is just another invitation of an accident. Please clear those areas.
- Tailgating and intimidation: This is the worse thing anyone can do when there is snow and most are trying to be careful. Just because you have an SUV with top of the line tires doesnt mean just tailgate others and push them to go with the speed that you are going. Other careful drivers, please also try to obey the laws of the road. Left lane is for passing only. Once you done that move over to the right lane and continue, this can reduce the intimidation from the other drivers when you go too slow and block the left lane during a snow day or a normal day.
Just drive careful, take extra time, be considerate and convenient to others during driving or at home or in your apartment. For sure they will respond in a similar manner back to you.
Happy Winter !!!
AlbanyLocal.com Admin