Five Winter Travel Tips for the Quad Cities

Many of us will be on the road over the next couple of months visiting family and friends. At some point most of us are going to have to do some traveling in the snow, ice and cold.

WQAD is already saying travel on Thursday south of the Quad Cities could be rough because of a winter storm impacting much of Illinois. Obviously the best advice is be weather aware. If it looks like winter weather is affecting your route, stay off the roads and delay your travel plans.

Sometimes though, that's not possible. So if you find yourself on the road here are five winter travel tips from the Red Cross:

1. Make sure everyone has their seat belts on and give your full attention to the road.
2. Don’t follow other vehicles too closely. Sudden stops are difficult on snowy roadways.
3. Don’t use cruise control when driving in winter weather.
4. Don’t pass snow plows.
5. Ramps, bridges and overpasses freeze before roadways.

I'd add, make sure you have a winter survival kit in your car. I'm thinking a blanket or two, a candle, energy bars, water, a flash light. Things that will help you ride out a storm and stay alive if you get stuck in your car. Also, don't forget the simple things before you set out like having a full tank of gas, and refilling the window washing fluid.

Do these things and have a safe trip wherever the road leads you.