Snow and ice give drivers a wild ride

Many University students came back from the semester break with memories of happy holidays, but some also shared stories about the terrible driving conditions they encountered battling the roads after the Jan. 2 blizzard.

Nancy Cain of AAA Michigan said more than 30,000 Michigan drivers have had their cars towed since heavy snowfall began eight days ago.

Many University students with cars on campus have faced similar problems.

"The driving is horrible, absolutely horrible," LSA junior Caryn Reed said. "I get scared a lot; I don't know if I'll slide off the road or hit someone or something."

Engineering junior Carrie Ricker said she would probably feel the same way about the roads' conditions if she was able to use her car.

ADRIANA YUGOVICH/Daily A student looks under the hood of his broken-down car. This week's frigid weather has taken its toll on automobiles across the state.

"My car is plowed in right now. It's stuck in a parking lot," Ricker said. "Since I don't have a shovel, I won't be able to get it out for seven to 10 days."

Although automotive dilemmas such as Ricker's are lamentable, there are many measures students can take to ensure they and their cars survive in the winter weather.

Phil Thack, service manager of Ann Arbor Auto Service, said the most important thing a driver can do is be prepared for a disaster on the road.

"You need to have emergency supplies in the event of a breakdown," Thack said.

Some of this equipment includes a shovel, a cellular phone, antifreeze solvent, jumper cables and extra windshield wiper fluid.

Thack said that although it is essential to keep these and other supplies - such as kitty litter for traction control, a flashlight and a blanket - in the car, drivers often forget to do so.

"There's more information than ever before available today" about preventative measures, Thack said. "But people tend to get caught up in everyday things, especially around the holiday season."

Keith Johnson, a service foreman in the University's Parking and Transportation Services, said it is also important for drivers to check their wiper blades and make sure all fluid levels are appropriate.

Reed said she checks her car's fluids at least every week and makes sure nothing is breaking, even though it can be rather annoying in the cold.

"It's hard to do, especially in this weather, but it's necessary to have a car," Reed said.

Johnson also stressed the importance of making sure the tires had a deep tread, adding that now is the time to replace them if they seem to be inadequate. He encouraged drivers also to use all-weather engine oils, recommending grades 5w30 or 10w30 for normal driving conditions.

While there are many precautions, motorists must remember driving defensively can prevent many problems before they start.

"We have the ability now to be better informed," Thack said. "Just use your head and be prepared for the unexpected."

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