When winter comes, some drivers fail to adjust their driving habits from warm sunny days with dry roads to freezing temperatures, ice, and snow-covered roads. This often leads to serious accidents. Here are some tips that may help to keep you safe when driving this winter.
Prepare your vehicle for winter driving conditions
- Get a tune-up.
- Check your battery levels and make sure that it is in good condition.
- Make sure you have good winter or all-season tires on your car. Make sure that the tires have plenty of tread left and that they are properly inflated.
- Add fresh coolant to the vehicle.
- Make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition.
- Have your breaks checked for wear.
- Check the heating system in your car and make sure that the defrosters are in good working order.
- Equip your car with an emergency/survival kit. It is important to have blankets, a flashlight, jumper cables, flares, a good quality scraper, and a bag of sand.
Driving tips
- Before driving, check the forecast and make sure that it is safe to be out on the road.
- When you first start, accelerate slowly to test the tire spin. When stopping, break slowly by gently pumping the breaks. These actions will help you maintain better control of your car.
- Leave more distance between you and vehicles in front of you. Snow and ice may make it more difficult to stop suddenly.
- Bridges and overpasses often freeze more quickly and may become slick and icy. Drive over them with extreme caution.
- Dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
- Allow more time to get to your destination so you won’t have to hurry and can take your time.
- Take curves and turns slowly to avoid losing control of your vehicle.
While this may not be a complete list, the main idea is to be prepared, drive cautiously, and try to anticipate potential dangers on the road. Be safe.