While blizzards blanket the Dakota’s, a deep freeze hits the Midwest and the Northeast is still wrangling under an ice storm, some drivers will take the risky step of abandoning their vehicles, unable to maneuver through the ice and snow. When a driver becomes stranded on the road, it can be both stressful and scary. 

Chances are, if you have little to no experience driving in the snow and ice, you’re going to want to stay home if at all possible and wait for weather conditions to improve before venturing out, however there may be situations in which you find that you must drive in inclement weather or when the weather takes a turn for the worst and you find yourself stuck smack in the middle of a snow storm with limited vision of the road ahead.

Most insurance companies advise staying with the vehicle if it’s safe to do so such as if you know help is coming or a tow truck is on its way.  Leaving your vehicle unattended on the roadway can present many risks.  For example, if motorists leave their vehicle on a route that’s usually kept open for emergency traffic, it can be towed – especially if it presents a danger to other drivers and remember that towing fees and charges can be expensive, especially when a vehicle is determined to be abandoned and the fee isn’t covered by your insurance company.

Keep in mind that an abandoned vehicle also runs the risk of being involved in a hit-and-run collision, especially in snowy weather and on ice covered roadways where snow can obscure a car and ice may cause other vehicles to slide into it.

If you must abandon your vehicle, here are some great tips I found that are provided by PEMCO insurance:

• Try to get as far off the traveled roadway as you safely can.
• Turn on your flashers, and leave them on.  A dead battery is better than causing an accident for which you could be held responsible.
• Set out flares to warn other drivers, if you can safely do so.
• Make a reasoned judgment about whether to remain with the vehicle and call for help, or to strike out on your own.  Some factors to consider are your health, clothing for the weather, distance to the nearest help, and likelihood of your vehicle being hit while you’re inside it.
• Leave a note in the window with your contact information.  That improves your chance of hearing from someone who hits your vehicle, or from the authorities.
• Take your most valuable items with you.
• Be sure to remove personal information that could allow a thief to locate your home and loved ones, steal your identity, or otherwise defraud you.
• Secure the vehicle by setting the emergency brake and locking the doors.  Professional towing companies know how to safely tow your vehicle.

You can prevent having to abandon a vehicle by monitoring the weather before a storm hits. But if you’re unavoidably caught in a snowstorm, be prepared. Proper snow tires and/or chains will help you maneuver through snow and ice.  Keep emergency winter clothes and supplies in your vehicle to buy you time and protection.

Also, if at all possible, it’s a good idea to take note of road conditions. Check The Weather Channel online (http://www.weather.com/), your local news station (TV or the web), or click here to visit the National Weather Service for the latest weather and road conditions in your area.

Stay safe out there and remember: ice and snow, take it slow!

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