Daily News Editorial

We thought everyone would be tired of hearing editorials about winter driving hazards by now.

But then last Thursday, no fewer than 15 cars were stranded on a 10-mile stretch from the Kossuth County line west into central Emmet County.

Five were just east of Armstrong, five a couple miles west, and the rest a little further west from there. Conditions were so bad that the Emmet County Sheriff's Department could get no further than the westernmost group of vehicles.

And then they had to turn back.

It was that bad.

Just Tuesday, within a mile a semi was laid out flat on its side three miles west of Armstrong and another car had plowed into a snow embankment at an intersection about a mile west of there.

It's dangerous out there, folks.

Real dangerous.

Sure, you might be cruising along, easy as you please, but all it takes is one unexpected patch of glare ice, one big gust of wind, one passing semi that makes a 10-second whiteout, and you suddenly feel as though you're the only person on earth.

It's been years since we've had a winter this severe, and for all we know, it could have barely started. So let's think about some key ideas before we have to head out on the road.

n First of all, do you really have to make the trip. If not, stay home. If your boss says you absolutely have to be to work or else, leave early so you don't have to rush. That extra time can mean the difference between a leisurely drive and a terrible experience.

n Are you prepared for the worst? Do you have good, winter clothing? Do you have a survival kit with matches and candles and high-caloric food? Candles and candy or granola bars are cheap but can be worth their weight in gold if they save your life. Do you have a flashlight? Do you have a good scoop shovel? A cell phone?

n Does someone know you're coming? If you're a half-hour or so late, chances are they'll be calling someone.

n Always, always, listen to the radio weather reports. If you have to drive 20 miles to work and find out your shift or classes have been canceled, you're going to feel awful silly, aren't you? Keep in mind too that the sun can be shining in Sheldon while there's a deadly blizzard raging in Dickinson County. We've seen it before, and we'll see it again.

n If you're planning a cross-country trip, watch the national weather trends closely and carry a weather radio with you. They're cheap and they can save your life too.

The only reason we make these suggestions is because we've found times when we should have followed some of these same tips ourselves. You're only getting the benefit of experience - or better put, misadventure.

A little planning and forethought can make a big difference between an enjoyable trip and a tragedy.

Try to make yours the former.