While many travel by plane to holiday destinations, it is still important to remember vehicle and highway safety during a Wyoming winter.
Hazards travelers face driving in winter include icy roads and poor visibility in cases of snowstorms and high winds. In some cases, travelers can become trapped in their vehicles for hours in the middle of snowstorms. To prepare for these circumstances, you should carry extra clothing, water and blankets, and be sure to have a full tank of gasoline in case of becoming stranded.
Other items to bring include non-perishable food items such as granola bars, a flashlight with extra batteries, windshield scraper, liquid ice melt and a shovel. A cell phone charger for the car also is important in case travelers become stuck on an interstate or road for more than a few hours.
If you do become stuck on a road for a period of time, the National Weather Service advises travelers to not leave their vehicles as it is more dangerous to get out and search for help.
Car accidents also increase during this time of year, as nearly 70 percent of cold and ice injuries are related to vehicle accidents, according to the National Weather Service
Freezing temperatures that can accompany winter storms can lead to hypothermia and frostbite, which can eventually lead to loss of fingers or toes and can cause permanent damage to the liver or pancreas, so remaining in your vehicle to stay warm is advised, according to the National Weather Service.
Certain areas in Wyoming and Colorado average between 48 and 72 inches of snowfall each year and usually face threats of high winds, blizzards and avalanches. Because of this, the need to be prepared for traveling by vehicle through these states should not be underestimated.
