WINTER DRIVING in

1. WINTER DRIVINGin INTRODUCTION: GOOD MORNING/AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS __________________ AND MY ASSISTANT IS ______________. WELCOME TO THE USAREUR (FWD) WINTER DRIVING CLASS. FOR THE NEXT ___________ YOU WILL BE FAMILIARIZED WITH THE ASPECTS OF DRIVING UNDER SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS IN HUNGARY, CROATIA, AND BOSNIA. INTRODUCTION: GOOD MORNING/AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS __________________ AND MY ASSISTANT IS ______________. WELCOME TO THE USAREUR (FWD) WINTER DRIVING CLASS. FOR THE NEXT ___________ YOU WILL BE FAMILIARIZED WITH THE ASPECTS OF DRIVING UNDER SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS IN HUNGARY, CROATIA, AND BOSNIA.

2. EFFECTS OF WEATHER ON EQUIPMENT DURING COLD WEATHER YOUR VEHICLE WILL REQUIRE SOME SPECIAL ATTENTION/REQUIREMENTS. FOR INSTANCE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE: 1. THE WAIT LIGHT MUST BE OFF PRIOR TO STARTING BECAUSE THE GLOW PLUGS MUST BE WARM FIRST OR YOU MAY DAMAGE THE ENGINE. 2. DO NOT RACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE YOU MAY BURN OUT THE TURBO. ALSO, THE OIL HAS NOT YET CIRCULATED AND WILL RESULT IN EXCESS METAL TO METAL CONTACT. (CLASS DISCUSSION ON WHAT THE STUDENTS MAY THINK THE ADVANTAGES ARE IN RACING THE ENGINE). RACING THE ENGINE PROVIDES NO HEATER ADVANTAGE. (CLASS DISCUSSION ON WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO CLEAR THE VEHICLE OF SNOW AND ICE). 1. CLEAN ALL LIGHTS TO ENSURE MAXIMUM LIGHT ADVANTAGE. 2. SCRAPE ALL WINDOWS AND MIRRORS FOR ALL AROUND VISIBILITY. 3. SWEEP ALL SNOW AND ICE FROM THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT IT FROM FALLING WHILE MOVING. THIS COULD POSE A SERIOUS HAZARD FOR OTHERS. (CLASS DISCUSSION) DURING COLD WEATHER YOUR VEHICLE WILL REQUIRE SOME SPECIAL ATTENTION/REQUIREMENTS. FOR INSTANCE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE: 1. THE WAIT LIGHT MUST BE OFF PRIOR TO STARTING BECAUSE THE GLOW PLUGS MUST BE WARM FIRST OR YOU MAY DAMAGE THE ENGINE. 2. DO NOT RACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE YOU MAY BURN OUT THE TURBO. ALSO, THE OIL HAS NOT YET CIRCULATED AND WILL RESULT IN EXCESS METAL TO METAL CONTACT. (CLASS DISCUSSION ON WHAT THE STUDENTS MAY THINK THE ADVANTAGES ARE IN RACING THE ENGINE). RACING THE ENGINE PROVIDES NO HEATER ADVANTAGE. (CLASS DISCUSSION ON WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO CLEAR THE VEHICLE OF SNOW AND ICE). 1. CLEAN ALL LIGHTS TO ENSURE MAXIMUM LIGHT ADVANTAGE. 2. SCRAPE ALL WINDOWS AND MIRRORS FOR ALL AROUND VISIBILITY. 3. SWEEP ALL SNOW AND ICE FROM THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT IT FROM FALLING WHILE MOVING. THIS COULD POSE A SERIOUS HAZARD FOR OTHERS. (CLASS DISCUSSION)

3. RISK MANAGEMENT DRIVING DECISIONS Can I make this trip later? What would be the safest route? Am I prepared for emergencies? INSTRUCTOR WILL CONTINUE DISCUSSION FROM PREVIOUS SLIDE. INSTRUCTOR WILL INTERJECT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WHILE DISCUSSING DRIVING IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS. DRIVERS MUST SHOW TURNING INTENT SOONER THAN USUAL.THIS GIVES THE DRIVERS BEHIND YOU MORE TIME TO REACT. MAINTAIN AT LEAST TRIPLE THE NORMAL DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE AHEAD. INSTRUCTOR WILL CONTINUE DISCUSSION FROM PREVIOUS SLIDE. INSTRUCTOR WILL INTERJECT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WHILE DISCUSSING DRIVING IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS. DRIVERS MUST SHOW TURNING INTENT SOONER THAN USUAL.THIS GIVES THE DRIVERS BEHIND YOU MORE TIME TO REACT. MAINTAIN AT LEAST TRIPLE THE NORMAL DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE AHEAD.

5. DEFENSIVE DRIVING TECHNIQUES Drive at reduced speeds so you can stop quicker. Give turn signals sooner than usual. This gives other drivers more time to react. Pump your brakes to warn of your intention to stop. Maintain at least triple the normal distance from the vehicle ahead. (6 seconds) INSTRUCTOR WILL CONTINUE DISCUSSION FROM PREVIOUS SLIDE. INSTRUCTOR WILL INTERJECT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WHILE DISCUSSING DRIVING IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS. DRIVERS MUST SHOW TURNING INTENT SOONER THAN USUAL.THIS GIVES THE DRIVERS BEHIND YOU MORE TIME TO REACT. MAINTAIN AT LEAST TRIPLE THE NORMAL DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE AHEAD. INSTRUCTOR WILL CONTINUE DISCUSSION FROM PREVIOUS SLIDE. INSTRUCTOR WILL INTERJECT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WHILE DISCUSSING DRIVING IN EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS. DRIVERS MUST SHOW TURNING INTENT SOONER THAN USUAL.THIS GIVES THE DRIVERS BEHIND YOU MORE TIME TO REACT. MAINTAIN AT LEAST TRIPLE THE NORMAL DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE AHEAD.

6. OPERATING ON SNOW AND ICE Drive in second or third gear rather than first or low. Engage the clutch gradually (or in d2, high, with automatic transmission), and accelerate no more than necessary to keep from stalling. ( SHOW SLIDE ) INSTRUCTOR WILL SPEAK AND INSTRUCT FROM OWN EXPERIENCES DOWN IN CROATIA AND BOSNIA. ( CLASS DISCUSSION ) QUESTIONS:WHAT GEAR WOULD YOU START IN? WHAT ARE SKIDS AND WHAT IS SKID CONTROL? WHAT IS CENTRIFUGAL FORCE? 1) SKIDS AND SKID CONTROL a. SKIDS RESULT FROM SLIDING OR SPINNING WHEELS AND AN OUTSIDE FORCE ( EXAMPLE: CENTRIFUGAL FORCE ) ACTING ON THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING INTO A CURVE. DISCUSS STEERING INTO THE DIRECTION OF THE REAR WHEELS TO COUNTERACT THE SKID. DISCUSS FRONT END SKIDS. FRONT END SKIDS CAN RESULT FROM LOCKED WHEELS OR SOMETIMES A HIGHLY CROWNED ROAD PAVEMENT. FRONT END SKIDS CAN OFTEN BE CORRECTED BY RELEASING THE BRAKES AND LETTING THE FRONT WHEELS ROLL TO REGAIN TRACTION AND STEERING CONTROL. DISCUSS PREVENTION: REDUCE SPEED, REDUCE SPEED BEFORE SHIFTING INTO A LOWER GEAR AND SLOWING DOWN BEFORE ENTERING A CURVE. ( SHOW SLIDE ) INSTRUCTOR WILL SPEAK AND INSTRUCT FROM OWN EXPERIENCES DOWN IN CROATIA AND BOSNIA. ( CLASS DISCUSSION ) QUESTIONS:WHAT GEAR WOULD YOU START IN? WHAT ARE SKIDS AND WHAT IS SKID CONTROL? WHAT IS CENTRIFUGAL FORCE? 1) SKIDS AND SKID CONTROL a. SKIDS RESULT FROM SLIDING OR SPINNING WHEELS AND AN OUTSIDE FORCE ( EXAMPLE: CENTRIFUGAL FORCE ) ACTING ON THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING INTO A CURVE. DISCUSS STEERING INTO THE DIRECTION OF THE REAR WHEELS TO COUNTERACT THE SKID. DISCUSS FRONT END SKIDS. FRONT END SKIDS CAN RESULT FROM LOCKED WHEELS OR SOMETIMES A HIGHLY CROWNED ROAD PAVEMENT. FRONT END SKIDS CAN OFTEN BE CORRECTED BY RELEASING THE BRAKES AND LETTING THE FRONT WHEELS ROLL TO REGAIN TRACTION AND STEERING CONTROL. DISCUSS PREVENTION: REDUCE SPEED, REDUCE SPEED BEFORE SHIFTING INTO A LOWER GEAR AND SLOWING DOWN BEFORE ENTERING A CURVE.

7. ( SHOW SLIDE ) ( CLASS DISCUSSION ) ASK, IF ANY OF THE CLASS MEMBERS ( ESPECIALLY THE ONES FROM COLDER CLIMATES) REMEMBER LOOKING OUT OF THE THEIR WINDOWS BACK HOME AND SEEING A SHEET OF ICE COVERING THE ROAD, AND THE NEXT MORNING SEEING SNOW? ( DISCUSS ALL ANSWERS )( SHOW SLIDE ) ( CLASS DISCUSSION ) ASK, IF ANY OF THE CLASS MEMBERS ( ESPECIALLY THE ONES FROM COLDER CLIMATES) REMEMBER LOOKING OUT OF THE THEIR WINDOWS BACK HOME AND SEEING A SHEET OF ICE COVERING THE ROAD, AND THE NEXT MORNING SEEING SNOW? ( DISCUSS ALL ANSWERS )

8.  ( SHOW SLIDE ) 1) ASK, WHY IS IT DANGEROUS? 2) COMMON AREAS YOU FIND IT?( SHOW SLIDE ) 1) ASK, WHY IS IT DANGEROUS? 2) COMMON AREAS YOU FIND IT?

9. ( SHOW SLIDE ) ( CLASS DISCUSSION ON WHAT YOU WOULD DO IF YOU HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE. ) ( SHOW SLIDE ) ( CLASS DISCUSSION ON WHAT YOU WOULD DO IF YOU HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE. )

10. ( SHOW SLIDE ) CLASS DISCUSSION: HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE DRIVEN IN FOG BEFORE? ASK THE SOLDIERS TO DISCUSS THEIR EXPERIENCES. WHEN VISIBILITY IS POOR, USE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO IMPROVE YOUR VISIBILITY AND TO WARN THE OTHER DRIVERS OF YOUR POSITION. STOP, PARK OFF THE ROADWAY, AND WAIT FOR CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE. HIGH BEAM LIGHT IS “LOST” IN THE FOG BECAUSE IT ISABSORBED. LOW BEAM LIGHT IS MORE DIRECTLY ON THE ROAD TO GIVE THE DRIVER BETTER VISIBILITY. IF YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST CONTINUE, HAVE AN ASSISTANT DRIVER OR PASSENGER WALK IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AS A GROUND GUIDE. ( SHOW SLIDE ) CLASS DISCUSSION: HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE DRIVEN IN FOG BEFORE? ASK THE SOLDIERS TO DISCUSS THEIR EXPERIENCES. WHEN VISIBILITY IS POOR, USE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO IMPROVE YOUR VISIBILITY AND TO WARN THE OTHER DRIVERS OF YOUR POSITION. STOP, PARK OFF THE ROADWAY, AND WAIT FOR CONDITIONS TO IMPROVE. HIGH BEAM LIGHT IS “LOST” IN THE FOG BECAUSE IT ISABSORBED. LOW BEAM LIGHT IS MORE DIRECTLY ON THE ROAD TO GIVE THE DRIVER BETTER VISIBILITY. IF YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST CONTINUE, HAVE AN ASSISTANT DRIVER OR PASSENGER WALK IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AS A GROUND GUIDE.

17. BEFORE TRIPS: CHECK BATTERY ANTIFREEZE WIPERS & FLUID IGNITION SYSTEM THERMOSTAT LIGHTS HAZARD LIGHTS EXHAUST SYSTEM HEATER BRAKES DEFROSTER OIL LEVEL

21. BEFORE TRIPS: PACK WINTER CAR KIT SNOW BRUSH W/ SCRAPER FLASHLIGHT W/ BATTERIES BLANKET MITTENS, SOCKS & HAT SMALL SHOVEL SACK OF SAND OR KITTY LITTER JUMPER CABLES HAZARD SIGN, FLARES OR FLAG WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID

22. KEY DRIVING TIPS ALLOW MORE TIME TO TRAVEL MAINTAIN MORE SPACE DRIVE WITH YOUR LIGHTS ON WEAR SAFETY BELTS LOOK WELL AHEAD ANTICIPATE PROBLEMS

23. STUCK IN SNOW CLEAR A PATH STRAIGHTEN FRONT WHEELS USE ABRASIVE MATERIALS UNDER WHEELS GENTLE PRESSURE ON ACCELERATOR DON’T SPIN WHEELS “ROCKING THE VEHICLE” - CHECK OWNER’S MANUAL LAST RESORT …

24. SUMMARY REMEMBER THE THREE P’s PREPARE FOR THE TRIP PROTECT YOURSELF PREVENT CRASHES ON THE ROAD SLOW DOWN! GIVE DISTANCE CLEAN OFF WINDOWS - SEE CLEAN OFF ALL LIGHTS AND TURN LIGHTS ON - BE SEEN