Nature is our best teacher, and when we pay attention to her and to our own human nature the roads are safer for all of us. Before a storm, humans are not much different than squirrels scurrying to gather food. Just look at the lines at supermarkets. Squirrels reinforce their nests in trees; we make sure we have supplies with us and fuel to heat our homes.

We are not that different from animals, but squirrels don’t drive cars or trucks. In preparation for a storm, fill up your gas tank, evaluate the condition of your tires, and, if you’ve never thought about carrying an emergency kit with reflective caution triangles and flares, now would be a good time. Make sure you also have an ice scraper and maybe a collapsible shovel.

When driving in bad weather, take a few deep breaths before starting the engine and realize you are about to get on a slick surface in a machine that weighs thousands of pounds. Be mindful that while you are driving carefully, many others may not be.

If you are involved in a crash in bad weather, remember safety. First, get your vehicle out of harm’s way and into a safe, visible location if possible. Turn on your hazard lights and make sure the tailpipe is clear of snow. If your vehicle is disabled or in a dangerous spot, move to a safe location away from it. Call the police and help others who may need assistance.

This is no time to argue with other drivers. Do not admit fault at the scene. Focus on helping one another. Be a kind human.