Adverse Weather Driver Training Resources 

About Adverse Weather Driver Training Resources 

The resources are intended to assist providers with developing and facilitating trainings for drivers and critical transportation staff. For questions about this webpage, or to request an emergency preparedness training for your agency facilitated by an emergency manager or member of the RARET workgroup, please contact Dean Sydnor at DSydnor@hopelink.org or 425-429-5995. 

Preparing Your Vehicle for Inclement Weather

  • Winterizing Your Vehicle

    In anticipation of winter weather conditions, take steps to “winterize” your vehicle, to be


    • Ensure your tires are properly inflated: temperatures changes in winter can result in low-tire pressure, which affects braking distance and maneuverability. It is estimated that for every 10 degrees the temperature drops, tires lose one-half to one pound of pressure per square inch.  

    • Don’t rely on tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS): TPMS systems may falsely signify underinflated tires, especially if a car has been sitting in the cold overnight. Drivers are recommended to drive the car briefly, allowing the air in the tires to warm up before checking the tire pressure. 

    • Test your vehicle battery: Battery capacity is reduced by cold temperatures. Conduct a thorough inspection of your battery, cables, terminals, and fluid. 

    • Keep the gas tank at least half full: Make sure you have plenty of fuel to run the engine and keep you warm, and to prevent the fuel line from freezing 

    • Use the correct engine oil for the temperature specifications: Engine oil can thicken in cold temperatures. Consider switching to a ‘winter weight’ or less viscous oil. 

    • Replace your windshield washer fluid: Fluid used in the warmer months of the year typically has a freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Replace your fluid with an option that has a lower freezing point. 

    • Lubricate your door and trunk locks: Lubricate all external car locks with a silicone spray or door-lock lubricant. If the lock is already frozen, use glycerin or a de-icing product to thaw them. 

     

    Sources: 

  • Vehicle Supplies

    In the event of an emergency, it is helpful to have an emergency supply kit in your vehicle. For vehicles carrying passengers, consider carrying enough supplies for the passenger capacity of the vehicle. 


    Supplies to carry in your kit include: 

     

    • Flashlight
    • Extra batteries
    • Paper, pen and local maps (with pre-determined travel routes)
    • Nonperishable food/snacks (Easy-open snack bars, trail mix, crackers)
    • Water (Four, 16oz bottles per rider)
    • Winter clothing for each traveler (Coats, hats, gloves/mittens, and/or scarves – anything that would keep them warm if they need to evacuate the vehicle) 
    • Blankets for each traveler 
    • First aid kit
    • Cell phone charger/battery booster
    • Tire chains
    • Ice scraper/snowbrush
    • Jumper cables
    • Flares/warning triangle
    • Kitty litter or sand to help with traction
    • Whistle to signal for help

     The following resources include checklists and guides to creating an emergency supply kit for your vehicle. 

    1. What to Carry in Your Car (WSDOT)
    2. Winter Driving Supply Checklist (WSDOT)
    3. Winter Weather Driving (Take Winter by Storm) 

Winter Tires, Traction Tires, and Snow Chains

  • Traction Tires

    Depending on the weather conditions, traction tires and/or chains may be recommended or required on specified roadways. Traction tires are typically labeled as all-season, all-weather, snow tires, or studded tires that are suitable for use in severe snow conditions. Installing chains makes any tire a traction tire.


    For any ‘all-season’ or ‘all-weather’ tires, the following qualify as traction tires when required on Washington roadways:

    • A minimum of 1/8th inch tread; and 
    • Be permanently labeled with a “Mountain/Snowflake” symbol; or 
    • Be permanently labeled with the words “mud and snow” or any contraction using the letters “M” and “S” (e.g. MS, M/S, M&S, etc.) 
    • Standards for Traction Devices (WA State) 
  • Studded Tires

    Studded tires have metal studs embedded within the tread, providing added traction when driven on ice or snow. 


    • Studded tires are only legal between November 1st and March 31st. Motorists using studded tires before or after these dates could incur a fine from law enforcement.
    • Studded tires do NOT satisfy state chain requirements; if chains are required, they will have to be installed on top of studded tires.
    • Studded tires are not allowed on vehicles over 10,000 pounds.
    • Standards for Studded Tires (WA State)
  • Snow Chains

    Snow chains may be required when traveling to higher elevations, such as over a mountain pass. 


    • There are several different methods to install tire chains. Refer to the manufacturer’s guide for chain installation instructions. 
    • On a front-wheel drive vehicle you must install chains on the front two tires. On a rear-wheel drive vehicle, you must install chains on the rear two tires.
    • Vehicle, trailer and load combinations that are under 10,000 pounds must follow regular chain requirements.
    • 4WD/AWD vehicles (under 10,000 pounds) do not need chains installed during "chains required" notices, but drivers still must carry chains with them in case conditions worsen and they're required to install chains during a "chains required on all vehicles" notice.
    • Resources for Installing Snow Chains 
    • Safety First: 8 Steps to Installing Winter Tire Chains (Tran BC, 2010)
    • Installing Tire Chains (WSDOT)
  • Additional Resources

Driving in Inclement Weather

Driver and Passenger Safety

  • Passenger Safety Tips

    Passengers may need assistance with mobility in winter weather conditions. Consider their ability to maneuver sidewalks and walkways when dropping passengers off at their destination. 

     

    • When walking on a slippery surface, point your feet out slightly, like a penguin. This increases your center of gravity. Extend your arms out to your sides to maintain balance. 

      

    • When passengers are leaving their homes, check if they need assistance walking to avoid slipping or falling on icy sidewalks or walkways. Sand or kitty litter can be used to provide a walkway with more traction. 

    • Periodically check with your passengers on the vehicle inside temperature. Some clients may have health issues that will require a warmer environment.
  • What to do if you’re stranded

    Staying in your vehicle is often the safest option. Below are several tips to increase the safety of drivers and passengers. 


    • Put bright markers on the antenna or windows and raise the hood (if it is not snowing) to improve the visibility of the vehicle

    • To keep warm, run the motor sparingly in ten-minute intervals, with a window slightly open to let in air. Clear the exhaust pipe of any snow to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning inside the vehicle. 

    • Continue to move your arms and legs to improve circulation. 

    • Move all emergency supplies from the trunk to the interior of the vehicle.

    • If you must leave your vehicle, be sure to call authorities and leave a note telling others your travel plan. Bring water with you, and travel in one direction to avoid confusion. 

Additional Resources

  • Take Winter by Storm

    Take Winter by Storm helps citizens and businesses with strategies to prepare for winter weather hazards. Their website features multi-lingual checklists and location-based resource pages to guide users through preparing their households, vehicles, and families for inclement weather, flooding, and freezing temperatures. 

  • Ready.gov

    Ready is a national public service campaign to educate and empower community members to prepare for emergencies. The website features information about a broad spectrum of hazards, and includes several emergency preparedness guides for businesses, families, and individuals. 

Request a Training 

To request an emergency preparedness training for your agency facilitated by an emergency manager or member of the RARET workgroup, please contact Bree Boyce at BBoyce@hopelink.org or 425-943-6751

Additional Feedback

Please take a moment to submit your feedback so we can improve this web page. 

Feedback Form

Very Unlikely
Unlikely
Likely
Very Likely