Open Letter To Western New Yorkers Driving In The Snow

It’s our first true snowfall of the year (with the exception of the flurries we saw on Halloween) and it appears that many people have forgotten how to deal with the snow. 

You don’t shovel into the street….ever, unless you want to rack up a potential fine. You should always have some non-perishable foods, a blanket, and a phone charger in your car in case you end up being stuck in the car for a while. 

However, there is one big mistake that people make when they are stuck on the side of the road in a pile of snow, and that is: getting out of the car. 

One of the most dangerous things you can do is getting out of your car on the side of the road while your car is stuck, especially in icy conditions. 

According to CDC data from 2021, one in six people who died in crashes were pedestrians. 

Safety experts from the AAA and state highway patrols always recommend that you stay in your car and wait for help to arrive. That is especially the case when you happen to get stuck on a busy highway with fast-moving traffic. 

Also, you have to think about why you are stuck on the side of the road in the first place. The icy and snowy conditions led to your car slipping into a snowbank, so what makes you think that it won’t happen to another car? It is very possible that another car could come along and lose control of their vehicle while you are standing outside your vehicle, and if they happen to head your direction, you will be much safer staying inside your vehicle rather than standing outside, unprotected. 

Even if you stood in front of your vehicle, there is always a chance that another car could strike yours from behind. 

Just stay inside and keep warm as you wait for assistance. 

Nobody likes the idea of being stuck in a snowstorm, but it could happen to anyone – so it’s better to be prepared. 

The Rochester Fire Department recently shared three things to do if you get stranded in your vehicle, and the first thing they say is to “stay in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you.” 

You’d rather be safe than sorry, right?