Winter is here and while most of us would rather be inside our warm homes, driving is inevitable. Another near certainty is the snow and ice which comes with the season, and is infamous for being both unpredictable and dangerous. We have outlined the top tips for driving in the snow and ice this season and hope you take note of our advice.

1. When there is snow and/or ice on the ground, plan your route before you leave. Try to avoid hills and smaller roads that may not be very well plowed. If you need to travel up a hill, gain a little speed before you reach it and let the force bring you to the top. Continuously pressing the gas will only make your tires spin and stop you before you start.
2. Use your judgment in terms of speed. If the posted speed limit is 30 mph but you feel comfortable going 15 mph, you should. It’s important to be especially cautious on bridges or overpasses. It takes longer to do everything on snow-covered roads so give yourself time to maneuver. Driving slower can set the pace for other drivers and give you peace of mind.
3. Always be on the lookout for cars that may be having trouble in the ice or snow and be sure to give yourself enough room behind another vehicle. The normal safe following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten. Driving too closely could also be dangerous if you lose control of your vehicle during a turn or while traveling down a hill.
4. To make sure you are visible, always drive with your lights on when the weather is poor. When driving in fog at night, low beams may be the best option. Illuminating yourself can ensure that other drivers do not follow too closely.
5. Always be aware of your brake pedal. When the road conditions are bad, you may not know you need to stop until it’s too late. By keeping focused, you’ll be ready for that instant stop.
6. If you get stuck in the snow, do not spin your wheels. Try to turn your wheels side to side until you are able to mobilize yourself. When you first realize you are stuck, turn on your emergency lights so other drivers are aware of your situation and can stay safe.

Remember that getting there safely is more important than getting there fast. Drive carefully and follow these suggestions to help you arrive at your destination accident-free.

We’ve already seen some snow this winter, but us New Englanders know that we’re far from out of the woods yet. If the first storms caught you off guard, be prepared for the next one by checking these items off your list before the next flakes start to fall:

• Ensure your tires are properly inflated. If they’re over- or underinflated the tires won’t grip the road as they’re designed to making it less likely that you’ll stay on it when you hit an icy patch.
• Check your windshield wiper blades. Snow and ice buildup can make everyday wipers less effective. If you live in an area where snow and ice are certainties, consider changing to “snow blades” or winter blades that will slow the precipitation buildup and can move a larger quantity of snow from your windshield.
• Consider changing your all-season tires to snow tires. Their unique tread will grip the road better and provide more traction.
• Keep at least half a tank of gas in your car at all times. It not only prevents your gas line from freezing up, but adds weight to your vehicle.
• Make sure you have an ice scraper and snow brush handy. Before getting underway, you should remove the snow from the roof and all the windows of your car, not just the windshield, as well as make sure to clear your head- and taillights.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way! During the winter months, even if it’s not snowing where you are, check the weather along the route to your destination so you know what to expect. Safe driving!

For over 40 million Americans, Thanksgiving Day is not spent in the comfort of one’s own home. In order to gobble up Aunt Jane’s turkey or Cousin Carl’s cranberry sauce, a trip across town, to the neighboring county and even over state lines is often par for the course. Since the majority of travelers will take to the roads, we’re offering these tips for getting to your destination safe and sound. Whether your trip is one hour or six, you’ll want to be prepared to handle road conditions so you can arrive on time for your holiday dinner!

1. Prep Your Vehicle: Check and replace non-working lights and worn wiper blades and fill up on windshield wiper fluid to help you avoid surprises while on the road. Also check your gas and oil levels, and don’t forget about your tire pressure. If you’re traveling to a part of the country that may experience some winter weather, throw an ice scraper or two, a snow brush and tire chains, if you have them, into the trunk. In addition to packing a map, snacks and water, make sure your emergency kit is filled with items like a battery powered radio, a reflective vest, flashlight, jumper cables, first aid kit, and road reflectors or flares, and make sure your jack is located where it should be.
2. Bring Your Motor Club Membership Card: It will be your lifeline if you need roadside assistance. Help is just a phone call away if you need assistance fixing a flat, jump-starting your car or getting to the next gas station. Premium memberships may also include towing your car up to 100 miles for free! They’ll even help you retrieve your keys if you lock them in the car at the interstate rest stop.
3. Leave Early and Pack Patience: Running late can have a negative effect on your driving. It’s easy to make errors in judgment when you’re driving fast trying to make up time. Instead of trying to get there faster, leave early and focus on getting there safely. Even if you do leave early, you may run into traffic so be prepared for it. Take a few deep breaths and go with the flow – it will make the trip that much more enjoyable for you and your passengers.
4. Stop at Safe Rest Stops: Rest stops are built for drivers to use, so take advantage of them. Not only can you use the facilities, but get out, stretch your legs and clear your head. You’ll stay more alert on the road and feel more refreshed.
5. Beware the Dangers of Cruise Control. While you may think cruise control will help you feel less tired behind the wheel, be aware that it can cause you to let your guard down on long drives. Your reaction time may be slowed and you may be less able to stop at a moment’s notice. To remain alert, take control of the car instead.
6. Enjoy Your Trip: It’s hard to celebrate Thanksgiving when you’re not in the holiday spirit. Long trips can be an enjoyable part of your holiday routine. Bring some of your favorite music to listen to as you drive. It will help to keep you from being distracted by fiddling with the radio and taking your eyes off the road. Also be sure to pack some activities for any kids that may be in the car – for their enjoyment and your sanity. Finally, while you’re still paying attention to the road, take the time to enjoy the scenery. Even though you may have driven the same route 20 times before, that doesn’t mean the trip won’t be worthwhile.

Congrats! You made it safe and sound and are all ready to dig into the turkey. One more thing – don’t forget to take a few leftovers with you to enjoy after you return!

This week is the 3^rd Annual Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation and Mercedes Benz. This public awareness campaign, which lasts from November 2-8, aims to educate everyone on the road about the dangers of driving while sleepy.

Why does it matter? Every year, approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Even more shocking, this results in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in monetary losses. While many don’t think twice about getting behind the wheel while sleepy, it can be as or more hazardous than drunk driving. Studies have shown that drowsiness can cause slower reaction time, impaired vision, a decline in attention to the actions of other vehicles or changes in the road and decreased alertness.  Drowsiness can also lead to microsleeps, a dangerous condition that results in brief 2-3 second episodes where a driver falls asleep at the wheel. 

Don’t fall victim to the many dangers of driving while sleepy. Before any trip, we recommend the following advice from the National Sleep Foundation to reduce your risk of drowsy driving:

• Get Your Sleep – to maintain proper alertness during the day or while driving, most adults need 7-9 hours. And teenagers need even more:  its recommended they receive 8.5-9.5 hours of sleep each night
• Take Breaks  -during long trips schedule proper breaks, about every 100 miles or 2 hours of driving
• Bring a Friend - arrange for a travel companion to join you on trips. Having someone to talk with and who can share the driving duties can have a dramatic impact on a driver’s alertness
• Avoid Alcohol and Sedating Medications – these can make you extra drowsy and slow down your reaction time, among many other concerns. If you have had an alcoholic beverage or are on medication, avoid driving if possible, always check your labels, and ask your doctor about any side effects from prescriptions that may impede your ability to operate a car.

If you’re interested in learning more about the risks of drowsy driving, how to prevent it before or during a trip, or what you can do to help spread the word, The National Sleep Foundation has a great  toolkit available on its website, complete with education materials, posters, videos and event ideas.

Everyone here at Plymouth Rock really enjoyed the extra hour of sleep we received this weekend thanks to the end of Daylight Savings Time. But now that the days are shorter, many more people will be on the road during dusk or in darkness, so drivers need to be extra cautious. Before you hit the road to go home this afternoon, consider the following to arrive at your destination safe and sound:

• Use your head(lights)- Make sure your headlights work and enlist the help of a local auto mechanic to ensure they are properly aligned–if you’re a Plymouth Rock customer, be sure to check out our Myles Saving Pass program for potential deals on your service. When driving towards oncoming traffic, avoid using your high beams as they can be distracting to other drivers and never look directly at oncoming headlights, as staring directly into headlights can blind you for up to five seconds while your eyes adjust.
• Keep It Clean- Clean your headlights and windshields regularly and check that your windshield wipers work properly. This will help you better see cars on the road- and ensures that they see you, too. The end of Daylight Savings Time is also a good reminder to clean and check the parts of your car that may get less attention: mirrors, windows and tail lights.
• Slow Down- In the dark, it is more difficult to see the road, judge other vehicles’ speeds and gauge the distances between your car and others. To avoid an accident, reduce your speed, increase your following distances, and obery the speed limit at all times. And remember, even perfect vision is reduced to 20/50 at night, so always wear glasses if you’re prescribed them and check with an eye doctor if you’re having any vision issues.
• Know Your Limits- Although the end to daylight savings time brought us an extra hour of sleep, it can take as long as two weeks for bodies to adjust to the change in our internal clocks. If you’re feeling drowsy, are blinking often, find yourself daydreaming or drift at all out of your lane, pull over as soon as possible to rest or take a 20-minute nap. A recent study by the National Sleep Foundation found 60 percent of people have driven while feeling sleepy and more than a third admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel in the past year, so you may also want to consider taking public transportation until your body adjusts to the change. 
• Watch For Pedestrians- Research from the American Journal of Public health found that pedestrian fatalities quadruple during the period just after Daylight Savings Time ends. Many pedestrians are still out during peak evening traffic hours but now it is dark during this time, so keep an eye out for people around you and take the time to proceed slowling in areas where pedestrians are likely to be, such as crowded parking lots, in school zones or near parks.