Last
winter, Wendy Kocin, of Havertown, Pa., found herself and her family snowbound
— and stranded — after an accident on a deserted road in the middle of the Allegheny
National Forest.
Fortunately,
help was just a button push away because Kocin's vehicle was equipped with OnStar,
the industry-leading safety and security system used by more than two million
people across the United States and Canada. Kocin pressed the blue OnStar button
and was immediately connected to an advisor at the OnStar Center who alerted state
police to her plight and her location.
Each
year, thousands of women, either alone or with family, are caught on the road
when the weather turns bad. Whiteouts, black ice and sleeting rain make winter
driving extremely hazardous, but female drivers can stay safe with a little preparation.
"Whether
traveling on the highway or a rural side road, all drivers need to take certain
precautions," said Michelle Stoutermire, Manager of Diversity for OnStar.
"Many women find that a system such as OnStar provides peace of mind because
OnStar's advisors are available to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
To
help women prepare for the hazards associated with winter driving, OnStar offers
the following tips whether or not you have an OnStar system in your vehicle: -
Make sure your vehicle is winter weather-worthy. Check your battery, antifreeze,
wipers and wiper fluid. Consider snow tires and keep your gas tank full.
-
Outfit your trunk with the following necessities: Windshield ice scraper, small
broom for sweeping snow off your windshield, blankets, flares or red or orange
cloth strips for signaling, snow shovel (foldable if possible) and small bag of
sand (to help create traction under wheels). CLICK HERE
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ASSEMBLING WINTER SAFETY KIT.
-
Keep snacks and plenty of water in your car, along with maps or a road atlas,
flashlight and extra batteries and first aid kit. Always keep a change of clothes
and appropriate footwear and outerwear in the trunk, along with jumper cables.
-
Listen to the weather broadcasts and heed possible hazardous condition warnings.
Be prepared to change plans if weather makes travel hazardous. And be sure to
let others know your route and arrival time.
OnStar
offers a choice of service packages to help keep drivers and their families safe
and on the road this winter, and all year-round. OnStar's Safe & Sound service
provides peace of mind that comes from OnStar core services, such as automatic
notification of air bag deployment, emergency services notification for dispatch,
GM Goodwrench remote diagnostics, stolen vehicle location and many other safety
and security services. The package is currently available for $16.95 a month. |
