The winter season is in full-swing, and the weather that it brings can create very dangerous driving conditions. Since you may not be able to stay home every time snow or ice falls, follow these defensive driving tips. They will help you arrive at your destination safely.
Clean/Prep Your Vehicle
Before you leave your driveway, spend a few minutes cleaning your vehicle. Make sure that you remove any snow and ice off your vehicle. Finally, pay special attention to your car’s windows, mirrors and lights so that you can see, and other drivers can see you on the road.
Tell Someone
Just before you leave, tell someone where you’re going, which route you expect to use, and your anticipated arrival time.
Snow
Now that your vehicle is adequately prepped and cleaned, here’s how to drive carefully in snow:
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- Use smooth motions as you brake, accelerate, and change gears.
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- Allow extra space between you and other vehicles.
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- Wear sunglasses to reduce glare and improve visibility.
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- Drive on fresh snow, rather than in the packed and slippery trails that have been left by other vehicles.
Ice
Ice poses as a tremendous threat to your safety on the road, and is one of the most hazardous of all winter weather. Â So please stay home if possible during ice storms. Otherwise:
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- Reduce your speed and leave at least 10 car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you.
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- During a skid, stay calm as you accelerate and break gently and smoothly. Steer into the skid, too. For example, steer right if your vehicle is skidding to the right.
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- Be aware of black ice. It’s hard to spot, but is just as dangerous as white ice or snow.
Hail
During dangerous hail storms, you must pay extra attention to the road and implement several safety measures.
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- Drive into the storm so that the hail hits the reinforced windshield rather than the side windows and back glass that aren’t as strong.
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- Stay away from ditches that can flood during hail storms.
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- Pull over if the storm becomes too heavy, and wait until it stops.
Make sure to follow these defensive driving tips the next time you get caught in winter weather. For added protection, you may want to update your auto insurance too. If you have any questions, give Tracy-Driscoll a call at 860-589-3434.
