It’s easy to forget the trials of winter transportation after months of clear roads. Here are a few safety tips for getting around in the cold and snow.

Driving

• Drive slowly and leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Anticipate extra time needed for scraping ice and snow off your vehicle and/or slower driving.
• Always have at least a half tank of gas in your vehicle.
• Leave with warm clothes. If you get in an accident or your vehicle gets stuck, you will need to spend some time outside.
• Don’t warm up your vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud.

Read more driving tips from AAA and all about snow removal at MSU.

Walking

It’s impossible to avoid the harsh elements of winter, even if it’s just a short walk from the parking lot to your office. Make sure to check the ground for slippery ice before stepping out of your vehicle. If you’re walking for exercise or need to go a long distance, avoid wearing cotton.  It doesn’t dry out after getting wet from slush or sweat, which can lead to chills and sickness.

There are approximately 160,000 square feet of heated sidewalks on MSU’s campus. If the sidewalk near your building is icy, you can throw on some ice melt salt from buckets located in many of the entrances to buildings on campus.

Biking

Using this two-wheeled transportation method is more challenging in the cold in snow, but it is still quite possible! Follow these tips by the Bikes Service Center to learn about how to stay safe and warm on your bike this winter.