Winter Driving 101 what you should know
Winter means snowy, icy roads and sometimes low visibility. It also means greater chances of sliding, getting stuck and unfortunately the occasional accident. There are some things that all drivers should know about driving during the winter in order to besaferout on the road.
- Slow down.
This does not mean to crawl along the roads, that can be just as dangerous as going to fast. Simply slow down enough that you can maintain better control of your vehicle. It is especially wise to slow down in low visibility conditions. Slowing down a bit might mean having to follow other vehicles longer than you want to, but it is much better to take your time and know you will get there safely!
- Stay out of tire tracks.
Driving in existing tire tracks might make sense, however those tracks are actually more dangerous than driving on the snow. The heat generated from numerous vehicles driving in the same tracks wears down the snow and creates icy patches that can become very slick. Move over slightly to get out of the tracks and you stand a better chance of having more traction.
- Do not slam on the brakes.
Do a break check on the road by hitting your brakes sharply; by doing this you can gauge how long it will take you to stop on the current road conditions. When performing a brake check, make sure no other vehicles are within range of view. Obviously you would not want to hit the brakes in the middle of a busy street. When driving on icy roads, avoid slamming on the brakes, doing this can cause the brakes to lock up and you to slide and lose control of your vehicle.
- Give yourself space.
It is good practice to not follow other vehicles too closely any time of year, but even more so during the winter months. You need to make sure you have plenty of room to stop when driving on icy roads. The other reason you want to put some space between you and other vehicles is in the event of hitting an icy patch and losing control, you will not hit anyone.
- Check your tires.
This means checking to see how much tread is on your tires. Worn out tires can slide easier on snowy/icy roads and you have a better chance of getting stuck in the snow due to lack of traction. It is a good idea to invest in a good set of snow or all season tires. The price of tires might make you wince a little, however you will be in better shape once the snow and ice starts piling up on the roads.
The biggest things to remember while driving in winter conditions is to check your tire tread, and slow down a bit. Pay attention to the roads and the other drivers, many accidents can be avoided simply by being cautious.
