Twitter
Facebook
Germany is known for its extreme winters. Road conditions can change drastically throughout the night leading to hazardous driving conditions in the morning. Preparing ahead and being knowledgeable about the hazards winter brings is safe and smart. Every year there are numerous accidents due to inclement weather; the majority of these accidents happen during winter months and can be prevented.
The 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron maintains the snow removal and deicing fleet for Ramstein, Landstuhl, Vogelweh and Einsiedlerhof. The squadron is a critical partner ensuring the roads, runway and aircraft are free of ice and snow.
The following items are some helpful tips the 86th VRS has gathered from experience and would like to pass on:
Snow Tires: According to a German Federal law passed in November 2010, you are required to have Winter or all-season tires marked “M+S” when driving with snow or ice on the ground. Although the law does not specify dates when snow tires are required, the German rule of thumb is “von O bis O,” which means from October to Easter (Ostern in German). Driving without appropriate tires in inclement weather may result in an accident or a heavy fine.
Wiper Blades: An often overlooked, yet very important component to safe driving are your wiper blades. They are cheap to replace and a set of good blades can greatly improve visibility crucial to safe driving.
Wiper Fluid: Be sure your washer fluid is full of commercially made wiper fluid designed to resist freezing. Straight water will freeze and possibly damage your car’s windshield washer system.
Driving Distance: It is important to maintain a safe driving distance between vehicles so you have room to maneuver. A good guide is the three-second rule, staying three seconds behind the car in front of you. This can be determined when passing a stationary object. During inclement weather, double the distance to six seconds. If you find yourself braking a lot, add more space.
Safety Check: Take the time to perform a safety walk around of your vehicle, inspecting your lights and tires. Clean snow and dirt from your windshield and headlights. It’s important to both see and be seen. Also, remove any other loose snow as it may blind you or other drivers at highway speeds.
Cruise Control: Do not use cruise control when driving in snow, heavy rain or when roads are suspected of “black ice” due to freezing temperatures. Cruise control systems are designed for normal road conditions and can be hazardous on slick roads.
Skidding: Bridges or overpasses, shaded patches, and infrequently traveled roads are often the first to ice over. If you find yourself losing traction, don’t panic. Avoid sudden changes of speed or direction. If you do begin to slide, turn the wheel into the direction of the skid and gently depress the brake pedal until the vehicle regains traction.
Snow Equipment: Avoid passing snow plows and salt trucks and allow more space between yourself and snow removal equipment. Be mindful of the fact that the drivers of these vehicles have limited visibility. Also, when in front of snow equipment, avoid sudden braking because big trucks need room to slow down.
Antifreeze: Antifreeze is an essential part of your car’s winter protection. Check your vehicle’s engine coolant and over-flow reservoir levels. Make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50/50.
Spare Tire: Ensure your spare tire is properly inflated to manufacturer specifications, and that you have the proper tire changing equipment (tire iron and jack) in your vehicle.
Belts and Hoses: Check your belts and hoses for excessive wear or looseness and replace them as needed.
Car Heating: Make sure your car’s heater, defroster and rear defroster are all functioning properly.
Emergency Equipment: Good items to keep in your car include an ice scraper, snowbrush, jumper cables, flash light, extra batteries, flares, first aid kit, basic hand tools and blankets.
Car Battery: Be sure your battery and alternator are working properly. If your car battery was struggling during the summer be sure to get it tested as it’s even more likely your car won’t start in cold weather.
Prepare for colder months ahead. Germany has a beautiful winter landscape, so if you do plan on traveling somewhere in the upcoming months plan out your route of travel taking into the account the inclement weather and road conditions. Use the tips provided in this article to maintain a safe and fun driving experience in the winter months of Germany. Remember there is no such thing as a 100 percent safe vehicle. Lastly, we here at the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron wish you a happy and safe winter driving season. Drive safely.
