With winter weather comes challenging driving conditions. Winter roads can be more dangerous to navigate than all other seasons. Nothing compares to the dangers snow, ice, sleet, and hail cause to our roadways. And because safety is our top concern, we want to share winter driving tips with you.
Get prepared with the proper equipment to defrost your windows or the cold weather. Winter storms, bad weather, and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. These are the tips that are going to keep you safe.
Visibility
When there’s low visibility on the roadway, you must be extra wary of your surroundings. Stay alert to potential danger around you.
- Ice-proof your windows
- Fog-proof your windshield
- Clean the snow off your car before you leave, making sure you can see out of all of them
- Be mindful of brake lights ahead of you
- Use your air conditioner to defrost your windows
- Watch for cars hidden in the snow cloud caused by you driving
Slippery conditions
Some surfaces become slippery faster than others, so it’s essential to know when and where to use extra caution.
- Be careful on entrance and exit ramps
- Bridges and over passes freeze first
- Brake early for stop signs and red lights, intersections can get very slippery
- Keep your speed down on snow, ice, and rain-covered roads
Defensive driving
Defensive driving is one of the best ways to avoid accidents on slick roads. Remember, though, defensive driving sometimes means letting the driver who is in the wrong have the right-of-way.
- Slow down to increase your traction so you stay in control of your vehicle
- Stay out of other peoples’ tracks because they might have had snow packed in the tires making it slippery
- Keep a safe distance between other cars giving about 15 seconds before you start driving
- Accelerate and decelerate carefully and gradually
Safety Takes Priority
We hope that these safety driving tips will help you prepare and stay safe on the road. Remember, it’s okay to shut down when there is too much ice, snow, or driving winds. And always remember safety always takes priority.
Keywords: winter driving, winter weather, winter safety, car safety, driving safety