Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/89721
behind the wheel Winter-Driving Mishap The Tale of the Meet the AMA Experts Follow along as AMA's driving specialists weigh in. We all love a seasonal yarn, but this one could save your life. Read this fi ctional story of a ski vacation cut short by a few wrong choices. Then ask yourself: what would you do? Rick: They did every- thing right up to this point. You should Rick Lang AMA Driver Education always leave a copy of your travel itinerary and contact informa- tion with at least two other people when you go on a road trip. Randy Loyk AMA Automotive Services Rick: Oops! Your winter emergency kit should be securely stored inside the vehicle, with the passengers. If your vehicle breaks down in a storm, you want your emergency kit to be close within reach — and not frozen! You also want to minimize your trips outside — especially if you're stuck on a highway with limited visibility. 44 WESTWORLD >> NOVEMBER 2012 It was a crisp winter morning. Jim and Peggy Browning, and their two teenage sons, were packing up for their annual family ski trip to Banff . They'd been planning the trip for weeks. They were all set. Peggy had alerted the neighbours, and her sister, that they were going to be away, and emailed a copy of the trip itinerary and emergency contact information. Jim had done a quick maintenance check on the SUV the day before, inspecting the tires, including the spare, and the fl uid levels. The snow chains were stored safely in the trunk, along with the winter emergency kit. The winter tires were on, and there was winter wiper fl uid in the reservoir. They buckled in. Peggy double-checked her purse for the paper route map and tucked Jim's smartphone away in her pocket. "Blue skies ahead, folks," said Jim, as they pulled out of the driveway. They'd checked AMA Road Reports online before leaving (including the real-time traffic-camera Randy: They did the right thing with the vehicle, too. It's key to do a maintenance check before you go on any road trip — but it's absolutely critical in the winter. Winter tires are the right choice for any driving in tempera- tures below 7 C, while snow chains should be used on steep, snow- covered roads in the mountains. Rick: Good call. Under Alberta's new distracted driving rules, drivers receive fi nes for operating gadgets while a vehicle is in motion. Print out a route map, such as an AMA TripTIk, before you leave, and designate one of the passengers as your navigator. (top) iStock