Storms, pileups: CAA-Quebec ’s survival guide
“Monster pileup on Highway 13!” Remember? It was March 2017. What a nightmare! Unfortunately, winter brings with it its share of unpleasant surprises, including accidents and vehicles going off the road. Here are some tips to avoid them and be better prepared when bad luck strikes.
Don’t stop on the highway
Whether it’s to change a flat tire, boost a battery, clean off wipers, send a text, take a nap, fill out a joint accident report or refill the windshield washer reservoir, all are bad reasons to stop on the side of the highway, be it summer or winter. If you have to stop, leave the highway first. Even after a collision (without injury) or a flat tire, make your way to the next exit.
Stay in the vehicle
If you have to stop on the highway, get as far away from traffic as possible and avoid getting out of the car. Imagine the consequences of a simple swerve in your direction by another vehicle... The risks are even greater when visibility is reduced and the road is snowy or icy. In France, authorities have already estimated that the survival time of a pedestrian on the side of the highway is 10 to 15 minutes.
“Our vehicles have been designed to withstand collisions and protect their occupants,” says CAA-Quebec Foundation Director Marco Harrison. “So keep your seatbelt fastened, adjust your headrest and wait for help. Unless there’s imminent danger of an explosion, it’s still by far the safest place to be.”
So it’s best to avoid taking frowning selfies with your broken-down car; it can wait until you get to the garage.
Be careful of the exhaust!
When you’re in your car during a snowstorm waiting patiently for help to arrive, it’s tempting to keep the engine running to stay warm. If you do so, it’s important to take two precautions: crack open your window to maintain fresh air circulation, and check every 15 minutes that the vehicle’s muffler is completely unobstructed. A blocked muffler can poison the car’s occupants in minutes!
Winter kit: the essentials to keep in the car
Collisions, breakdowns, skidding off the road and multi-vehicle pileups are all things that can happen during a storm, and you might have to exit your car as a result—even on a simple trip to the grocery store. For this reason, keep blankets and warm clothes, including a tuque, gloves and an appropriate coat for the season, in the car. You should also have a snow brush and scraper, a shovel, a flashlight and a container of windshield wiper fluid. This is the bare minimum. Here’s what’s recommended to include in your winter kit.
Avoid driving!
It’s surprising to see so many people on the road when conditions are bad. Unless you’re a tightrope walker or crocodile tamer, driving is the most dangerous activity we do every day, and it’s even worse when Mother Nature’s in a bad mood. Storm days are a perfect excuse to work from home or sit back and watch some TV... with or without the kids!
Happy New Year 2019! Be careful on the roads, don’t forget your membership card and don’t hesitate to call CAA-Quebec Roadside Assistance. The service doesn’t take time off and our patrollers are available 24/7/365, right across Quebec!