Winter Travel Safety Measures in Pakistan

Winter Travel Safety Measures in Pakistan

The recent Murree disaster showed the worst of the Murree community’s response to extreme weather conditions and poor management. 

We, the Pakistan Tour and Travel, guarantee to provide our customers with the best service. With perfect safety measures, we have designed various affordable Murree tourism plans to bring you more fun in this valley.

In the event of an accident, it is difficult to find a hospital because the security services provided by the northern government are not enough, and the winter weather in the north of the region is also terrible. So, keep yourself prepared for any unseen situation. 

We have suggested Winter travel safety measures you can take when visiting the northern areas of Pakistan.

Importantly: 

If you are not an experienced snow driver, we recommend hiring a car rental company.

If you are a pro at driving, then snow chains are a must to tackle the situation. Snow chains or tire chains are devices attached to vehicle tires to provide maximum traction when driving on icy and snowy roads. 

The snow chains are installed on the vehicle’s steering wheel or unique systems that can be automatically deployed on the snow chains that swing under the tires.

Winter Snow Safety Tips

• Wear warm clothes, and you can add or remove them as the situation changes.
• Wear a helmet and gloves or mittens, and wear goggles and a scarf to protect your eyes and face.
• Try to maintain a reasonable level of fitness; in case to have to hike or leave your vehicle behind.
• On sunny days, even if it is cloudy, it is easy to get sunburned on the snow, so be sure to use broad-spectrum or zinc-containing sunscreen.
• Carry lip balm with you and use it regularly to prevent chapped lips and wind burns.
• Provide your body with protein and carbohydrates throughout the day, and avoid high-fat foods. Don’t forget to bring some snacks when you are hungry while running.
• Stay hydrated as much as you can.
• Tighten and massage tired muscles at the end of the day. 

Winter Weather Conditions

No matter where you go, the snow, whether Swat, Kalam, Murree, Naran Kaghan, or Skardu, the weather will be good, but it is difficult to predict when it will go wrong. Changes in conditions, including fog, high winds, and heavy snow, may happen very quickly, and visibility may drop to close to zero, putting you in a potentially dangerous situation.

Always get advice on weather conditions from the resort staff and pay close attention to local forecasts. Their forecasts for temperature and snowfall-snow quality tend to improve coolness and vice versa. Pay attention to any sudden temperature drop. When this happens, it may herald a change in the weather.

Suppose you experience bad weather while on the mountain; it may happen very quickly. Start going to the nearest guestroom to get off as soon as possible.

Snow Safety Tips With Car

Here is what you can do when you are stuck in your car, and there is no way out in the snow; you can use your vehicle for survival. Whenever this thing happens to you, remember one thing “DO NOT GIVE UP”, and try these things.

Winter Travel Safety Measures in Pakistan

Safety Measures While Driving In Winter

Driving in winter is dangerous, so it is important to be prepared for driving in icy conditions. Visibility may be restricted, and the road surface may become very slippery.

Check your car before you go out. Is the battery good? Are the tires inflated enough? Does your windshield wiper work? If I need to remove deposits on the windshield, will the air conditioner work?

Winter Travel Safety Measures in Pakistan

If you have rented a car, please ask the hirer for information about mandatory winter road regulations. Should you drive in low light conditions? Do I have to use snow chains or specific tires?

Always drive according to conditions. The road may have black ice, so avoid sudden acceleration or braking. Turn and turn smoothly, and keep a sufficient distance from the driver in front of you in the event of sudden braking.

Give yourself enough time to move from one place to another. Driving in snowy conditions means driving slower than usual.

If you are not driving an ATV during the snow season, you need to use snow chains. Please consult the rental company or automobile authority for more information.

Try to avoid driving at dusk and night. Not only is visibility reduced, but you may also encounter wild animals.

If you are driving long distances, please bring extra food, water, blankets, and a flashlight with spare batteries. Filling up the tank can be very helpful if there is a long distance between gas stations. If possible, take regular breaks to avoid fatigue and join the journey if possible.

Keep your phone charged, and carry the power bank with you in case you need it. If you are driving in a remote area, please bring a GPS beacon because your phone has no signal to receive the signal.

Traveling Tips During Winter Travel

Driving in winter seems to have its own set of rules. Since the road can be slippery and icy, it is best to be extra careful when hitting the road, just like in any inclement weather.

If possible, avoid driving in winter weather because even a small amount of ice and snow can make road trips extremely dangerous. Here are seven tips to help you stay safe if you must drive.

Winter Travel Safety Measures in Pakistan

1. Stay on main roads and highways and the flattest roads possible. Avoid steep hills and roads as much as possible.
2. Drive alone during the day and avoid driving alone if possible.
3. Bring a blanket to keep warm in case you are trapped. You should also bring bottled water or hot drinks to avoid dehydration.
4. Inform family members where you are going and when you plan to return.
5. If a snowstorm or blizzard forces you to stop, get out of the car and turn on the hazard lights. If you have a distress flag or poster, please hang it on the radio antenna or stick it on the window. Stay in your car because the lifeguard is most likely to find you.
6. If it stays long, run the engine for 10 minutes every hour to warm up. When the vehicle is driving, slightly open the windows for ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide accumulation. Remove snow from the exhaust pipe of the car.
7. If you must spend the night in the car, please turn on the ceiling lights so the lifeguard or staff can see you.

We wish you travel safely in this heinous weather in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Despite minimal resources, we tend to deliver the best tourism service in Pakistan. 

Saba Ghani

Since 2017, Saba Ghani has been serving as the talented and dedicated chief content writer for Pakistan Tour and Travel & EMHI Solutions. With her exceptional writing skills and in-depth knowledge of the travel industry, she has been instrumental in crafting engaging and informative content that captivates the audience. You can catch her at [email protected] or Twitter