Don't drive in near whiteout conditions this weekend, but if you must, here's what to do

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --Another snowstorm is expected to hit the Midwest Friday and many people go into panic mode when they hear 'near whiteout conditions will cause low visibility.' This is why experts strongly encourage people stay home if they can, but if they must head out to the roads, here's how you can prepare ahead of time.

"Know the dangers, even though it's maybe something you grew up with, you've been here your whole life, you still need to be cautious," said Nick Jarmusz, the director of public affairs at the American Automobile Association (AAA). "Slow down, increase your following distance, even if you have all-wheel drive that's not going to help you stop any easier."

Jarmusz told CBS 58 on Thursday that those who must go outside during severe weather should make sure all heavy snow is wiped off the car and overpack.

"A lot of times we hop in the car 'cause we think, 'well, we're just running to the store,'" he said.

Anyone driving in severe weather will want to have a full tank of gas and a phone charger. Jarmusz also suggested drivers keep an emergency kit handy.

"Keeping an extra set of boots and gloves, hats, scarves...having a shovel, an ice scraper...having some snacks, nonperishable, you know, food bars, granola bars, things like that and some bottles of water," he added.

If you get stuck in the snow, do not panic.

"Try to get as far off of the roadway as you can or get off of the actual travel lanes, if possible," Jarmusz said. "Put your emergency flashers on."

He also said to keep your seatbelt fastened in case others don't see you and accidentally strike your vehicle.

"Continually keep the car running at least intermittently so you can keep the cabin of the vehicle warm while you wait for assistance," he went on to say.

And there are ways to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning in your car.

"Make sure that the exhaust pipe of your vehicle is cleared and is not blocked by snow," he said.

Again, experts stress that the safest thing you can do is stay home and don't drive in whiteout conditions.