Driving in the Pacific Northwest during the winter months means unpredictable weather and hazardous roads. To help make the drive home a little easier and safer this weekend, The Daily Evergreen would like to remind everyone to take special precautions before leaving for Thanksgiving break.

Properly maintaining your vehicle is one more step toward becoming a responsible adult. Be sure to check your fluid levels, get snow tires and keep a winter survival kit in your car. Jumper cables, a blanket, and tow and tire chains are essential for this time of year. By the time you are stranded on Snoqualmie or Lookout Pass, it is too late to do anything.

While driving on icy roads, decrease your speed and leave extra space between yourself and other vehicles for breaking. If you need to take eight hours to get home, then take eight hours. Do not try to pass other cars on treacherous roads. There is no need to place yourself or someone else in harm’s way just to get home a few minutes early.

Students who are not comfortable driving home in winter conditions should talk to friends and try to carpool. This limits traffic, saves money and makes the roads safer for everyone. The WSU community has already lost too many Cougars in accidents this year, with the most recent being Kasey Skaggs. Do not let her death be in vain.

Also, remember to securely lock up your apartment, house or dorm room. Burglaries tend to increase during the Thanksgiving break when many students leave town.

The Daily Evergreen staff wants everyone to safely return to Pullman after Thanksgiving so be careful driving home. But most importantly, remember to eat lots of turkey.