Paul DiGangi of Bridgeview considers himself to be a safe driver. It’s the idiots on the road who cause the problems.
“Half are aggressive, and half are scared to be out there,” DiGangi said. “It’s never a good mix. Throw cabs into the mix–forget it.”
Nicole Novosel, who was walking through a downtown mall with DiGangi on Thursday evening, agreed with his characterization of Chicago drivers.
“No one knows how to drive here,” said Novosel of Oak Lawn. She avoids the hassle by taking public transportation.
Winter weather can make driving even worse–and Chicago anxiously anticipated its first snowfall of the season all day Thursday.
Master Sgt. Lincoln Hampton, a spokesman for the Illinois State Police, calls the first snow of the year an adjustment period, when people prepare their vehicles and their mind-set for the bad weather ahead. The problems come when people don’t adjust enough–driving like the weather’s still good–and when people adjust too much and overcompensate by driving 15 m.p.h.
“People driving too fast and people driving too slow–it’s a bad combination,” he said.
Hampton’s advice for a safe winter drive is simple: Stay several car lengths behind the vehicle in front of you, don’t speed, clean all the snow off your car before you start driving and give other vehicles plenty of advance notice when you’re changing lanes or slowing down.
“Obviously, you’re not driving on dry pavement,” Hampton said.
He suggests drivers winterize their cars, testing the battery, tires and antifreeze to help the vehicles best navigate the snow and ice. Drivers also should have emergency supplies in case of an accident or breakdown. In the city, motorists can call emergency number *99 to report an accident.
Despite his self-description as a safe driver, DiGangi admits he hasn’t prepared for snow.
“I never plan ahead for things like that–I wish I did,” DiGangi said. “I’m sure I’ll regret it tomorrow.”
SURVIVAL GEAR
Having these things on hand will make life much easier in the case of an accident, a breakdown or getting stuck in the snow:
Jumper cables
Flares or reflectors
Windshield washer fluid
Small shovel
Ice scraper
Traction material, such as kitty litter
Antifreeze
Blankets
Non-perishable food
First-aid kit
SOURCE: AAA-CHICAGO MOTOR CLUB
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Edited by Jane Hirt (jhirt@tribune.com) and Patrick Olsen (polsen@tribune.com)
