Thanksgiving travelers are often confronted by winter's first adverse weather. Before you go over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house, you might want to review these winter driving recommendations from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Prepare Yourself -- by planning your trip, its route and rest stops well in advance. Build into your schedule enough time to drive at a sensible speed, depending on the road and weather conditions. To get current road conditions, call the ND Traveler Information System at 511.
Prepare Your Car Aand Its Equipment -- your trip may coincide with the first snowfall of the season.
Have safety equipment checked -- brakes, lights, tires, defroster, windshield wipers and washer, battery and exhaust system.
In addition to tire chains, other emergency gear in your trunk should include booster cables, a shovel, tow chain or strap, traction mats, sand or rock salt, emergency lighting equipment and a roll of paper towels for cleaning lights and glass.
Be Prepared For What You May Encounter On The Road. Anticipate situations that call for reduced speed such as intersections and your own turning maneuvers.
Increase following distances when surfaces are slick, and signal other drivers well in advance before lane changing, turning, slowing or stopping.
And remember, using safety restraints -- you and your passengers -- is never out of season.Thorough preparation and a healthy respect for winter's hazardous driving situations are two important elements in having a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving trip.