Blizzard survival — Wyoming Permit Test

A blizzard is perhaps the worst of all driving conditions, so a defensive driver avoids driving in one if at all possible.

A blizzard combines the blindness of fog with the slick roads of ice, and many drivers end up stranded.

Because of this, a defensive driver simply avoids driving in a blizzard, if at all possible.

If you are stranded in a blizzard, do not panic, and stay with the car so you can be found more easily.

People who walk away in a blizzard get lost and freeze, while a car is easy for rescuers to spot.

Do not panic. Stay with the car so you can be found more easily.

While stranded, keep a window open for fresh air, because freezing wet snow can completely seal out oxygen.

Snow packed around a car can make it airtight, and you can run out of air without noticing.

Keep a window open for a bit of fresh air. Freezing wet snow can completely seal out oxygen.

While stranded, run the engine and heater sparingly and only with a window open, and make sure snow has not blocked the exhaust pipe.

A blocked exhaust fills the car with carbon monoxide, which you cannot see or smell.

Run the engine and heater sparingly, and only with a window open for ventilation.

While stranded, do not stay in one position: clap your hands and move your arms and legs vigorously from time to time.

Sitting still lets your body cool down fast, and moving keeps blood flowing to your hands and feet.

Do not remain in one position. Clap your hands and move your arms and legs vigorously periodically.

Use your emergency flashers to make a stranded car more visible to working crews, and turn on your dome light at night.

Rescue crews search in snow and darkness, and lights are what lead them to you.

Use your emergency flashers to make your car more visible to working crews. Turn on your dome light at night.

If more than one person is stranded in the car, take turns keeping watch; do not all sleep at one time.

Someone awake can spot rescuers, keep the exhaust clear and notice if anyone is getting too cold.

Take turns keeping watch. If more than one person is in the car, do not all sleep at one time.

What does a defensive driver do about blizzards?

Avoids driving in one if possible. A blizzard combines the blindness of fog with the slick roads of ice, and many drivers end up stranded. Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, p.80: “Because of this, a defensive driver simply avoids driving in a blizzard, if at all possible.”