snow and ice Archives - Comedy Defensive Driving®

DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER? – HAIL NO!

Daun Thompson — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 22:32:17 +0000

What to do in a hail storm

http://www.comedydefensivedriving.com/texas/ This video tip will let you know what to do when an emergency situation occurs while you are driving. Hail storms can cause severe damage to your car and can even harm you if you get caught off guard. Watch the whole series of short tips! Also, feel free to share the videos as well if you want, the more people to learn about this the better!

Have you ever been curious about the way hail is formed? Hail formation requires the perfect environment of strong, upward sweeping motions or currents of air. Each time the hail formation is swept up through the clouds, another layer or concentric ring is added to it. This happens over and over again until the formation is heavier than the wind is strong and it falls to the earth.

Another thing that I find interesting is that hail is usually described as the size of a sports ball, while tumors are usually described as the size of a breakfast fruit…just an observation.

Tips for driving in a hail storm

Keep your radio tuned in to a weather channel.

Be sure to use your headlights. Most states require you use them in rain anyway.

Slow down. Call your boss or whomever you are trying to impress and tell them you are going to be delayed by weather. Tell them how hard you will be to replace!

Allow extra breaking distance between you and the car ahead of you (use a 6 second rule for wet weather or a 9 second rule for icy weather).

Move your car to a covered area and sit there until the weather alert has ended. A parking garage would be ideal as hail tends to bounce back up after hitting the ground at such a high speed and may bounce into your direction.

If you stop, keep your seat belt on and put on your hazard lights. If pulling over to the shoulder of a freeway, put your signal light on instead, as if you are planning to re-enter the freeway.

Whatever you do, if you stop under an overpass, pull onto the shoulder, do not stop in the traffic lane. Otherwise, people will think that you have already been hit in the head by the hail.

Be extra careful in intersections for people who may not be able to stop.

Be careful stopping or driving near power lines that may be weighed down with ice.

If you practice these recommendations when driving in bad weather, you’ll make it safer for you and everyone around you. And remember, if there is the slightest warning of approaching hail or any other kind of inclement weather, don’t drive unless it is absolutely necessary.

Until next week…keep your car and your head wrinkle-free.

Daun Thompson

Driving In Bad Weather – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Home Made Winter Car Care

Daun Thompson — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 00:04:51 +0000

Winter weather conditions up north are unbearable. With a wind chill of twenty degrees below zero, I feel like a jerk for complaining about how chilly it is here in North Texas. At this point, a Florida trip sounds like the best solution. My sister Karla lives in Sarasota and boasted that she was spending her birthday on the beach at Anna Maria Island, while my eighty year old mother is house-bound in the frigid Midwest. Now who sounds like the jerk? Of course the road conditions are the major factor, but she also has to prepare her car for winter driving, which she is totally dreading. We get a few little “freak” winter storms here in the south and are never equipped for them (they call it denial). So, what if I don’t have those things on hand when these storms roll in? I certainly don’t have a snow shovel, ice scraper, rock salt or kitty litter. So I’ve recently put together a way to make my own home made winter car care kit.

I garage my car when I’m home. But when it’s out in the elements, sitting in freezing rain and snow, I find that the inside windows fog up, while they’re frosted outside. Filling something breathable like knit socks or knit mittens with silica crystals (the blue and white kitty litter crystals) and placing them in the car will absorb moisture in the air for days. Putting them on the dashboard will automatically defog the windows. And, putting them in your spouse’s underwear drawer….never mind…

And, a major annoyance is when the car doors freeze shut. Doors ice up because moisture gets on rubber window seal. Any brand of cooking spray (like Pam, etc.) can be used to create a barrier and a lubricant. Spray it on the seam, wipe off excess with a paper towel (and not with the bottom of your shoe). And…voila!

No ice scraper? Or, if you’ve ever self-plowed snow off your windshield with a credit card while the wind is cutting you in half, put a towel over the windshield when you park. A giant beach towel is perfect. When you need to go, just remove it. It may a bit stiff, but bring a big lawn and leaf bag to put it in.

No rock salt? Use a bucket of hot water, dish soap and just a splash of rubbing alcohol. Mix it all together and you have your very own deicer fluid (or “cocktails” for when you run out of booze at a holiday party…or is that just my friends who will drink just about anything when they run out of booze?) You can then pour it on your porch and the sidewalk to your car.

Until next week…drive safe

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Home Made Winter Car Care – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Four-Wheel Drive

Daun Thompson — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 05:26:59 +0000

It’s that time of year again when we need to be gearing up for winter weather. Last year, I left my truck locked in four wheel drive for nearly four months. And, although I felt that I was invincible, driving in the snow, I realized that I had a false sense of safety and decided that I was getting a little too cocky. Although four-wheel drive helps tremendously in giving you the added traction to move forward through snowy roads, that doesn’t mean you can come to a quick stop. Unfortunately, four-wheel and all-wheel drive will not give you the traction you need to brake.

Although four-wheel drive and/or snow tires are excellent to have, being prepared for the road conditions is key. The most dangerous day for road conditions is the day after the first snowstorm. Driver’s typically haven’t prepared and also likely have forgotten their technique from last year. Having the proper amount of tread on your tires is one major thing on your checklist. If your tread does not have at least a 6/32” (4.8mm) deep tread, you can’t just comb the tread over the bald spots. Check your antifreeze levels and battery water and connections. Make sure your defrosters work.

It’s probably not a bad idea to also carry a winter car kit. A bag of kitty litter for traction, should you get stuck in the snow. Pack a snow shovel, snow scraper, extra gloves and a blanket. You never know if you may get stuck in the elements. Even me, with my awesome four-wheel drive feature, can find myself in for the ride of my life.

Be safe this holiday season.
Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Four-Wheel Drive – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Driving on Ice

Daun Thompson — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 17:24:36 +0000

It looks like the weather man is predicting icy rain this week in Texas. While I spent most of my early driving years in the Midwest, braving the weather conditions, I am not quite confident about driving on ice. I am reluctant to prepare for freezing temperatures since the weather man is not always spot-on. That would be the best job in the world, being the weather man. You can be completely wrong in your weather predictions and still get paid. I’m sure the six figure job comes with dental and a 401k as well.

If we do find ourselves in a winter wonderland, I’d prefer to curl up under a blanket and avoid driving if I can. Here in Texas, our transportation department is less equipped to respond to icy road conditions than, say, the Midwest or anywhere up north. Drivers here in Texas have less experience and preparation for winter driving. And they find themselves at a high risk of getting in an accident whenever winter affects the roads. In fact, Texas is on the top 10 list for winter driving fatalities. For the drivers out there taking their chances, here are a few tips for driving in icy weather.
You can prepare yourself and your car to help safely navigate icy roads. Starting with good tires, no matter how safe you drive, you won’t get very far without good traction. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread left on them before you drive on icy roads. If they’re bald, unfortunately, you can’t just “comb” the tread over the bald spots. Make sure they have plenty of tread left on them before you drive on icy roads. I feel so very fortunate that I have a car with four-wheel drive (4WD), which can hug icy roads better than those with two-wheel drive or so I thought. Come to find out a four-wheel drive vehicle slides just just as well as a two-wheel drive. So don’t think you can just go plowing along, immune from the elements.

Reduce your speed on icy roads. On slick roads, even driving the speed limit can put you at risk of getting in an accident or getting a ticket. At higher speeds, you won’t have as much reaction time plus, it takes twice as long to stop on icy roads. You simply have less control over your car at higher speeds in bad weather.

But, before you even get into the car, there are several things to check before you venture out. Make sure your windshield wipers are functioning and have an adequate amount of wiper fluid in the reservoir. Check your battery to see if it’s not going to let you down. If it’s old, you may consider getting a new one. Top off your antifreeze so you don’t damage your car’s cooling system and cause your radiator block to crack. And keep your gas tank at least half full throughout the winter months.

Now, to prepare YOU. Stock up on some jumper cables, an ice scraper, an emergency kit, a flashlight and a bag of cat litter to sprinkle for traction, should you get stuck on an icy road. Blankets, snacks and water wouldn’t hurt as well. And make sure you have your phone charger in case you need to call for assistance. Better yet, just don’t drive!

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Driving on Ice – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Dashing Through The Snow – Winter Driving

Daun Thompson — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:21:39 +0000

I wonder if Santa texts while driving in his one horse open sleigh. You know…while he’s dashing through the snow, over hills he goes, laughing all the way. Why is he laughing, is he drunk? Or, perhaps he’s just jolly…a jolly drunk. Why else would he be off roading?
Driving too fast for the weather conditions plays a major role in fatal crashes each year. Especially during the winter months. Of course, speed is the single greatest contributing factor to serious crashes. And, if you’re on an icy or slippery road, doing 40 in a 60 may still be too fast for the slick road conditions in winter driving.

In addition to speed, other simple things that enhance safety are by wearing a seat belt and simply paying attention to the road. All-in-all, human error is the main contributor in 95% of all crashes (and all pregnancies). Some people think they are good multi-taskers and super skilled drivers. Maybe they’ve watched too many Steve McQueen movies. And, perhaps those same people also believe that all of the safety features in the car will save their lives. Which may be true, but perhaps not a quality life after years of therapy and rehabilitation from the accident. Snowfall obviously makes for more dangerous road conditions. But it just makes sense that more people stay home on heavy blizzard days. Or they drive more slowly if they are out in it. That first day of a snowstorm tends to yield more crashes because people have been out of practice. Crashes are 14% more likely to happen on the first snowy day of the season. Maybe that’s why Santa didn’t come this year. Or the year before that. Or, perhaps he’s just gotten tired of the winter driving.

Until next week…keep it on the road.

Daun Thompson

Comedienne / Artist / Writer

Winter Driving – Comedy Defensive Driving

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Steer Clear – Hazards On The Road

Daun Thompson — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 20:38:43 +0000

Before I started driving, the first hazard on the road that I experienced was when my drunk dad skid on a patch of black ice and wrecked our mini bike. I think that would be a great t.v. show “My Drunk Dad.” I’d watch it, for one. Heck, I’d even d.v.r. it. And I know all of my friends would watch it too. Seems like most people could relate to a t.v. show or even a reality show about the antics of a drunken provider. Perhaps that show with William H. Macy would have been better entitled My Drunk Dad, rather than Shameless. But back to the mini bike. Perhaps the 7+ inches of snow contributed to its demise. The same day he assembled it, he took it apart…in a snow embankment. Well, at least he survived, but not the mini bike. Road conditions and weather conditions both led to this particular hazard on the road. But other issues such as trucks hauling hazardous liquids or materials could be an accident waiting to happen.

Steering clear of them, rather than riding close by would be your best bet. Even a landscape service truck with all of their equipment loaded in the back could wind up being a hazard on the road. You never know if that equipment is secured in the back. So, following directly behind one of those trucks could lead to your demise. One of those leaf blowers could fall out. And what if the leaf blower guy is still attached to it? After having one of those guys with the leaf blower wake you up at 6:00 a.m., it would be a tough decision whether you should swerve or not, wouldn’t it? I was thinking about purchasing a bb gun at Wal-Mart for the next time one of those guys wakes me up. Even someone hauling furniture in the back of their truck, like a sofa or mattress could be a hazard on the road. And other hazards on the road that you maybe wouldn’t even have thought about…such as a diaper delivery service truck (eww!)…or santa’s toys falling out of his sleigh…or even reindeer poo (ewww!).

So, look out for falling objects, slick roads and tiny reindeer droppings.

Daun Thompson

Comedienne / Artist / Writer

Hazards On The Road – Comedy Defensive Driving

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