Wing must prepare for winter driving, safety

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dillon White
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Winter driving poses risks to drivers that can be overcome with proper preparation and awareness of a person's driving habits, vehicle handling characteristics and the rapidly changing weather in Great Falls. 

People can prevent accidents by avoiding common driving distractions such as using cellular phones, eating snacks or changing CDs while driving. 

People who familiarizing themselves with how their vehicle handles on ice can also avert rear-end collisions and other accidents, said Kelly Nathe, 341st Space Wing traffic safety manager. 

"People can determine how far their cars take to stop on ice in an empty parking lot," Mr. Nathe said. "This will help prepare them for when it happens on the road." 

Accidents and mechanical failures can sometimes leave motorists stranded in cold weather for extended periods of time. 

If a motorist does become stranded in Montana because of a mechanical break down or accident, they can increase their chances of survival by packing proper gear and staying in their vehicle, Mr. Nathe said.

The possibility of being stranded in a vehicle overnight is a reality despite modern technology such as cellular phones and radios. 

"There are spots on Montana highways that do not have cellular-phone coverage and if the highway patrol closes the highway due to snow, can be stuck overnight or perhaps longer," Mr. Nathe said. 

Familiarizing one's self with Montana weather will enhance awareness of the rapidly changing temperatures that can be encountered. 

"The temperature changes here real quick," said Staff Sgt. David Craig, 341st Operation Support Squadron weather forecaster. "In late February of 2005, the temperature was 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the next day, the temperature was 20 degrees Fahrenheit with snow." 

In addition to drastic temperature changes, the area surrounding Great Falls is also windy and subject to low visibility from fog and blowing snow, Sergeant Craig said. 

"Snow here can be so dry and fluffy it is easily picked up and blown around which can cause low visibility," the weather forecaster said. "The frequency of the wind can cause high cross winds on the highways. Wind speeds up to 50 m.p.h. are not uncommon here." 

If someone slides off the road, they should run the engine with the windows opened slightly for ventilation to keep them warm, Mr. Nathe said. 

The wing safety manager recommends motorists keep a survival kit and warm clothing in their vehicle as well. 

Mr. Nathe created several versions of his "survival kit in a can," and has experimented with the kits to ensure they work. A survival kit should include items that have more than one purpose, he said. 

Contents of a survival kit should include:
-- Three pound coffee can;
-- Matches;
-- Heat source such as a candle or military Trioxane fuel bar;
-- "Montana's Take-Along Winter Survival Handbook;"
-- Flash light;
-- Survival blankets or sleeping bags;
-- Bathroom tissue;
-- Multipurpose tool;
-- Coffee, Bouillon, hot chocolate;
 -- Spoons;
-- High energy food such as nuts, candy and jerky;
-- Pad and pencil;
-- Whistle;
-- A deck of cards for entertainment;
-- 550 survival cord;
-- Red flag to affix to antennae of vehicle to signal the need for help;
-- First-aid kit;
-- A gallon of water with room for expansion in case of freezing; and
-- A waterproof bag of cat litter or gravel to provide traction to drive wheels to help free a stuck vehicle. 

According to 341st Space Wing Instruction 24-301, personnel posting to the missile complex must have cold weather gear in their vehicles prior to departure beginning Oct. 1 and ending April 30. 

Government vehicles are also required to contain survival kits during this time. Contents of the government vehicle survival kits vary from organization to organization. 341 SWI 24-301 chapter 1.4.2 and chapter 10.1 through 10.4 can be referenced online at  www.e-publishing.af.mil/forms-pubs/ and select 341SW from the unit selection list. 

For an electronic version of the "Montana's Take-Along Winter Survival Handbook," go to www.mdt.mt.gov/publications/brochures.shtml and look under the safety heading. 

For current weather conditions and five-day forecasts, go to www.noaa.gov/wx.html.