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How to prepare for winter emergencies on the road, according to experts: NPR

Stranded motorists wait to be towed on Interstate 95 on Tuesday in Ladysmith, Va. About 48 miles of interstate roads were closed due to ice and snow.

Steve Helber / AP


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Stranded motorists wait to be towed on Interstate 95 on Tuesday in Ladysmith, Va. About 48 miles of interstate roads were closed due to ice and snow.

Steve Helber / AP

It’s every driver’s nightmare.

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine called it “incest.”

This week, motorists were stuck in freezing temperatures — some for more than 20 hours — along a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 95 in Virginia. Heavy snow fell on Monday, causing several vehicles to collide and bringing traffic to a standstill.

Kaine was one of the unlucky souls trapped for hours, “It’s pretty grim,” he told NPR.

“It was a cold night. I was stuck on the interstate between two exits – Ladysmith and Thornburg – where there were huge backups. And so I was just surrounded by cars and trucks stopping. just like me,” he said.

Kaine’s ordeal – which started at 1pm on Monday – didn’t end until he arrived at the US Capitol around 3:45pm on Tuesday. That’s about 26 hours and 45 minutes for a trip that usually takes about two hours.

“This is a good wake-up call in terms of personal preparation and being aware of some of the limitations of what governments and first responders can do for us,” said Eric Stern, professor at the University of at Albany’s College of Emergency Preparedness, said, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity.

NPR preparedness experts told NPR that there are ways for motorists to better protect themselves and their families in situations like these, which can be deadly for vulnerable people.

Keep emergency items in the car

David Bennett, AAA’s director of repair systems, advises capable drivers to keep some sort of emergency tool in their vehicle at all times.

He notes that snow or other bad weather is not always an issue.

“It can be a beautiful day and a large amount of traffic jams traffic for hours,” he said.

Some Important terms To have in the car:

  • First aid kit
  • Phone charger
  • Flashlight with backup battery
  • Non-perishable food items, like protein bars (it’s important to move them out every few months)
  • A few bottles of drinking water
  • Extra pet food, if available
  • Shovel or ice scraper

In the case of Monday’s storm, freezing temperatures pose another risk for motorists, the University at Albany’s Stern said.

“Hypothermia is another concern.”

Blankets, extra clothes, hats, scarves and gloves are all good things to keep in the car, especially if going outside in extreme conditions, he says.

And finally, before hitting the road, make sure your gas tank is empty, both Stern and Bennett say.

In Kaine’s case, having a full tank helps him stay warm when those around him run out of fuel.

The Virginia senator said: “I would start the engine with the heater on to warm up the car, then I would turn off the engine. “Then I have to turn it back on and I can, normally, with 10 minutes on, sit in the car for about an hour until I have to start it up again.”

Staying in the car is usually the safest option

It is eight o’clock and the traffic still hasn’t moved. Famine has come. In the distance, a distinct golden dome may loom.

Getting out of the car and walking to the nearest exit to buy food wouldn’t be so bad, would it?

Wrong.

Not a good idea, experts tell NPR, leaving a vehicle, which is likely the only safe haven and source of heat, is not a good idea.

“If you leave a car, you have to have a good reason. You have to have a good idea of ​​where you are,” Stern said. “You’ll have to try to assess: ‘What are my prospects for being rescued if the situation goes on for so long that it’s potentially life-threatening?'”

Motorists look down the roadway as cars and trucks get stuck on sections of Interstate 95 on Tuesday at Carmel Cathedral, Va.

Steve Helber / AP


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Motorists look down the roadway as cars and trucks get stuck on sections of Interstate 95 on Tuesday at Carmel Cathedral, Va.

Steve Helber / AP

Since the car is the safest place to be in this situation, Stern and Bennett say it’s important to always maintain the car to keep it up in bad weather.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration list some steps to service a car and prepare it for winter driving conditions.

The agency recommends that motorists keep their exhausts clear of snow and ice to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It also does not recommend driving for long periods of time with windows open or in an enclosed space.

Pay attention to those weather warnings

According to Jonathan Porter, AccuWeather’s meteorologist, a situation like Monday’s is avoidable.

Before the storm, AccuWeather and other experts issued warnings ahead of the fast-moving blizzard, Porter said.

AccuWeather’s forecast the previous day predicted several inches of rapid snowfall — at least 1-3 inches per hour right in the middle of a morning commute, he said. Warnings have been put in place for drivers and local authorities to prepare and stay home. And yet, the backup on I-95 still happens.

In situations where local authorities drop the ball, it is especially important that individuals take such warnings seriously, he said.

“People have different reasons to travel. It’s more of a proactive thing because it’s related to winter weather and tracking that forecast,” Porter said.

Motorists move along the southbound lanes of Interstate 25 in Denver after a snow-covered winter storm hit the snowy foot in the metropolitan area on January 1.

David Zalubowski / AP


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David Zalubowski / AP


Motorists move along the southbound lanes of Interstate 25 in Denver after a snow-covered winter storm hit the snowy foot in the metropolitan area on January 1.

David Zalubowski / AP

Travelers should keep an eye on forecasts for both where they are now and where they are headed.

Finally, says Stern, never be too proud to turn back if the weather is too dangerous to continue.

“Some people are stubborn about where to go, but sometimes it’s better to turn around than get into a really dangerous situation.”

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