Prepared for Winter Driving? The Tips You Need
We all know that driving does not just require skill, but also focus whenever you are on the road and your hands are on the steering wheel. Many people overlook the necessity to maintain a complete focus while on the road, and this has become some of the reasons, if not purely by chance, of the thousands of accidents happen in different streets every day in the United States. This worsens when the weather joins and the environment become slippery, if not wet, by the snow. If it weren’t for the 24-hour towing services that we have in our localities, everything would be more difficult.
Of course, you can prevent undesirable consequences, and that is the reason why you are here. In this article, we will share with you some tips on how to be well prepared for winter driving.
Tips for Driving in a Cold Weather
- Ascertain that your tires are properly inflated and that they have plenty of treads
- Avoid warming up the vehicle in an enclosed area like your garage
- Always have a bundle of cold-weather gear inside your vehicles such as warm clothing, extra water and food, glass scraper, flashlight, medications, blankets, and more.
- Avoid using cruise control when you are on a slippery road like surfaces with snow and ice
- Keep your fuel at least half-full at all times.
Tips for Driving Under Snow
- Stay at your house as possible and only go outside whenever it is necessary. Even if you have full confidence in your driving skills despite harsh weather, it is still better to prevent accidents by completely avoiding driving during the snow.
- Drive at minimum speed. When it is raining or snowing, your vehicle will be difficult to maneuver, and so it is better to reduce your speed lower than your usual. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and try to avoid skids.
- Increase your following distance in six seconds minimum, as this also increases the margin of safety and the distance needed for you to stop at a good distance.
- Avoid powering up on the hill. When you apply gas on snow-covered roads, this just makes the wheels spin.
Tips for Winter Trips at a Long Distance
When you can’t help but to travel amid snow, there are things that you can do to avoid accidents and inconvenience while driving on the road, and these are the following:
- Be well equipped. Gather all the necessary tools that you need as well as your vehicle’s nee just like what we mentioned in the first part of this article.
- Communicate with your family and friends about your route, destination, and estimated time of your arrival
If you are stuck on the road, you may:
- Stay inside your vehicle until help arrives
- Be as visible as you can
- Ensure that the exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow or ice
- Keep yourself warm
- Do not waste your fuel
Final thoughts
Whenever you drive in the snow, always keep a clear sight of the road and follow all the tips we shared in this article. Have a safe trip!