GM Motor Club Readies Winter Drivers

FOR RELEASE: January 24, 2003

GM Motor Club Readies Winter Drivers

Southfield, Mich., January 24, 2003 - History has shown that even during mild winters, hazardous snowstorms, blizzards, below-zero temperatures and bitter winds can hit when we least expect it. For example, in 1993, central New York and northeast Pennsylvania - areas that typically receive heavy snowfall - were experiencing a mild winter with well-below-average snowfall levels. Then, in mid-March, these unsuspecting Easterners were hit with two days of blizzard conditions that resulted in two to three feet of snow.

Snowfall in Minneapolis and other areas of the Northern Great Plains average 8 to 10 inches a month during January, February and March. The Great Lakes region, including Chicago, typically receives 6 to 11 inches of the white stuff during winter months and Salt Lake City and other parts of the Rocky Mountain region experience normal snowfalls of 9 to 13.5 inches per month. Even without figuring in blizzard conditions, it's always wise to plan and prepare for winter.

As a new winter season begins, GM Motor Club readies winter drivers by providing the following helpful information.

Winterize your vehicle. Have the following checked by a certified mechanic: battery, brakes, antifreeze, wipers and windshield washer fluid, ignition system, lights (including flashing hazard lights), heater, oil level, defroster, hoses, belts, exhaust system, thermostat and tires.
Travel with a winter emergency car kit. Here is a sample of some of the items you should keep in your car for a winter emergency: first aid kit, blankets, shovel, sand or rock salt, windshield scraper and cell phone. For a complete list of emergency items, go to www.gmmotorclub.com, click on Press Room and select GM Motor Club Helps Prepare You For Roadside Emergencies.
Monitor weather conditions. Check radio, television, newspaper and Internet weather reports frequently.
Be familiar with winter weather terms and how they can affect your travel plans:
- Winter Storm Watch - be alert because a storm is likely.
- Winter Weather Advisory - winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences that may be hazardous, especially to motorists.
- Winter Storm Warning - take action, a storm is in the area.
- Blizzard Warning - seek refuge immediately, snow and strong winds are producing blinding snow (near-zero visibility), deep drifts and dangerous wind chills.
Maintain at least a half tank of gas.
Dress warmly and in layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
Be familiar with your travel route.
If necessary to travel during a winter advisory or storm warning, drive during daylight, keep to the main roads and inform others of your schedule and route.
When driving in snow or on ice, slow down and increase the distance between you and other cars.

What should you do if severe winter weather conditions make it infeasible for you to proceed, especially during a winter storm or blizzard? Pull off the road and don't panic. If you've followed the guidelines above by including a winter emergency kit in your car, you have the essentials to wait it out. The following tips will keep you and your passengers safe and assist you in getting help.

Stay in the car.
Let others know you are in trouble. If you have a cell phone, call a relative or friend to inform them of your location and situation. Also flash your hazard lights and tie a distress flag to your radio aerial or window.
Run the engine and heater approximately ten minutes for each passing hour.
Change positions and do minor exercises to maintain body heat.
Use newspapers, road maps, seat covers, floor mats or extra clothing for insulation and warmth. In cases where there are two or more people, huddle together for heat.
Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning by clearing snow from the exhaust pipe and opening a window slightly for ventilation.
Turn on your inside dome light at night so rescue teams can spot you.
Avoid overexerting yourself. Keep from shoveling heavy snow or pushing your car out of a deep snowdrift.
Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Symptoms of frostbite include loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in your fingers, toes, nose and earlobes. Hypothermia symptoms can include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, drowsiness, exhaustion and frequent stumbling.

If you suspect frostbite or hypothermia, warm the victim's mid-trunk section. Warm the arms and legs last to avoid moving cold blood toward the heart, which can lead to heart failure.

Avoid giving caffeine (such as coffee or tea) or alcohol to a frostbite or hypothermia victim. Caffeine is a stimulant and speeds the heart rate, which can accelerate the negative effects cold weather has on the body. Alcohol can also worsen the effects of cold on the body, since it acts as a depressant and slows the heart rate.

By preparing yourself for winter weather driving - including its unpredictability and potential hazards - you'll have a safer and more enjoyable winter.

GM Motor Club provides nationwide emergency roadside service and travel benefits to owners of any make or model private passenger vehicle. For a single membership rate, GM Motor Club covers the member, spouse and dependent children under the age of 21 living in the residence. Coverage includes 24-hour 800-number access; 24-hour service for lockout, flat tire change, emergency fuel service or battery jump-start; and "no-mileage limit" towing to the nearest repair facility. Additional services include trip routing, map services, travel discounts and ATM/rental car locator. GM Motor Club is protection anytime, anywhere, for anyone. For more information, visit www.gmmotorclub.com or call 877 GM MOTOR (877-466-6867).

Sources:
Federal Emergency Management Agency
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
www.noaa.gov
www.family.go.com

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