School launches Survive the Drive campaign

Megan Miller MIL04034@BYUI.EDU Scroll Staff

As the holidays approach, many people will be leaving Rexburg to go visit friends and relatives. But for those who haven’t been through an Idaho winter, driving conditions can be tricky.

The BYU-Idaho Safety Office, in cooperation with the program management classes are conducting their annual campaign, Survive the Drive, to teach unfamiliar students simple ways to stay safe while driving.

“We want to educate the students on campus, focusing on students who don’t know about winter driving,” said Kevin Weaver, a junior from Lakewood, Colo., with the program management group. “I think we have at least one death a year.”

A booth will be set up in the Manwaring Center Nov. 15 and 16 to promote safe driving. Representatives will be there to answer questions and give tips on how to stay awake while driving and properly prepare for the winter season.

To stay awake, one thing Survive the Drive recommends is having sunflower seeds with you. Cracking open and spitting out the shells will keep you busy, not distracted.

The best plan to stay awake is to get plenty of sleep beforehand.

“Many students study all night for a final, then are up until late afternoon taking their test, then drive home,” Weaver said. “A 20 or 30 minute nap can do wonders for you, but the best solution is to get a full night.”

To be prepared for a closed road or blizzard that forces you to stay in your car, the Survive the Drive campaign suggests always having a good blanket and food and water in the car. A first aid kit should also be in your car whenever you drive.

General tips to make sure your car is in working order is to have the correct tire pressure, to check the oil for long trips and to have enough windshield wiper fluid and anti-freeze.

The best tip, Weaver said is to “Use your head. If it’s icy and snowing, drive slow. If you can’t see, drive as slow as you need to. And have a prayer before you go.”