All posts tagged winter driving

Driving In Snowfall: 4 Safety Tips For The Roads This Winter

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/11/25 in On the Road with Comments Off on Driving In Snowfall: 4 Safety Tips For The Roads This Winter

Driving in the winter can be challenging for even the most experienced drivers. The weather can often be unfavorable for driving due to snowfall and ice. Even small amounts of snow can cause road conditions to rapidly deteriorate, creating a slick and dangerous driving environment. Thankfully, there are steps that you can take to be prepared for the worst weather winter can bring. Here are four important safety tips that are crucial to follow when driving in the snowfall this winter.

Keep An Emergency Kit In The Car

If you become stranded on the road in the winter weather, having the proper supplies in your car can help keep you safe. Pack items such as bottled water, non-perishable snacks, blankets, gloves, a mini shovel, hand warmers, a flashlight, and a battery operated phone charger.

Drive The Appropriate Speed

It is never more important to drive at or under the speed limit than when winter weather conditions strike. Too often, drivers do not adjust their speed to accommodate inclement road conditions. Driving too fast in snow and ice not only places yourself in danger, but you put the safety of others at great risk.

If Possible, Wait To Drive Until Roads Have Been Treated

If you are not in too much of a hurry to get to your destination, wait until roads have been plowed and salted before driving. This will help ensure safer driving conditions while traveling. Road maintenance workers can only do so much to keep the road clear, depending on the severity of weather conditions. If it looks too bad, lean towards to side of caution and wait for better road conditions.

Proper Car Maintenance

The best driving in the world is no substitute for a properly maintained car when trying to navigate slippery roads. Before the first snowfall, ensure that your tires are in good condition, and replace your tires if the tread is worn. If you do need to replace your tires, consider buying ones that are specifically built for winter road conditions. Aside from your tires, be sure the rest of your car is ready for winter. Check the condition of your windshield wipers, car heater, and fluid levels. Take it to a dealership, like Woody Sander Ford, or a trusted mechanic to ensure that you are prepared for the winter.

In addition to following the four safety tips listed above, it is always important to use good judgement and exercise caution when driving in the snow. The four tips mentioned above could help you stay safer in winter weather conditions.

7 Safe Driving Tips To Stay Safe On The Road During Winter Storms

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/11/09 in On the Road with Comments Off on 7 Safe Driving Tips To Stay Safe On The Road During Winter Storms

Winter storms can hit at any time and create very hazardous driving conditions. They can bring down large amounts of snow and ice in a short period of time. If you are caught in one of these storms, then you need to know exactly what to do. Here are seven driving tips to stay safe on the road during inclement weather.

Reduce Your Speed

You want to slow down when driving in a winter storm. Slowing down allows your tires to maintain traction in the snow and ice. Going slowly also reduce the chance that you will accidentally run into a car that was hidden by the falling snow.

Increase Your Distance between Cars

You want to increase the distance between your vehicle and other cars on the road. Try to get as much distance as possible since other cars could swerve out of control at any second. Try to double the normal amount of space between you and the car in front of you to give you more time to react to dangerous situations.

Try Not To Stop

Try not to stop if you are driving through a winter storm. Stopping will force your car to work hard to gain acceleration again. You could potentially become stuck in a single spot if you do stop.

Keep Your Headlights On

Turn your headlights on as soon as the storm starts. Keep them on at all times. Headlights will let you see the road better. They also signal the presence of your vehicle to other drivers.

Apply Gas and Brakes Slowly

Apply your gas and brakes very slowly during a storm. You want to accelerate and brake gradually. If you slam on the breaks, your tires may lock up and slide in ice, which can be dangerous. Give yourself extra time to stop and go slowly so you don’t lose traction.

Know When to Pull Over

It’s important to know when to pull over. Some winter storms might be so intense that you cannot see anything and other drivers are getting into accidents all around you. If conditions get incredibly bad, then just pull over to a safe spot and wait for the storm to lighten up.

Never Drink and Drive

Never attempt to drive under the influence. This is important because you could make bad decisions and lose control of the car. Drinking and driving also inhibits your ability to react to sudden changes like a car spinning into your lane. Besides the injuries and damage you could cause, driving while under the influence can get you fines and jail time, according to Columbus attorneys at Suhre & Associates.

Never underestimate the danger of a winter storm. It takes just one patch of snow or one errant move to send your car careening off the side of the road. These seven tips will help you to stay safe if you are caught driving in a winter storm.

Five Steps to Avoid a Car Crash This Winter

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/02/03 in Auto Accident with Comments Off on Five Steps to Avoid a Car Crash This Winter

Icy conditions and snowy roads are always treacherous times to drive. This winter has already delivered dangerous situations for many drivers. Weather contributes to 25% of all car accidents, and ice alone makes up 12%. Avoiding an accident and making your commute safer in these conditions isn’t hard, but there are some important steps to follow.

Be Properly Equipped

During the winter, conditions can change quickly, and it’s paramount that your car is properly prepared. Make sure your vehicle has been recently inspected before heading out this season. Keep your antifreeze topped off, windshield defrosted, and headlights in working order. Properly inflated tires are essential in winter conditions, but be sure not to over inflate. Consider putting together a small kit with extra warm clothes, gloves, flashlight and blanket.

Slow Down

Even if you drive the same route every day, you need to give yourself ample time in case of backups or icy roads. It can be easy to treat a winter’s drive like any other commute and fall into habit. Stay alert and take things slow. Remember, you have lost a lot of traction. Avoid tailgating and taking sharp turns at speed.

Be Aware of Ice

As water freezes over night, it picks up many of the oils and gravel in the roads, becoming near invisible. As the day heats up, a thin layer of water forms over the top, making the ice extra treacherous. Pay attention to your local traffic reports and watch out for overpasses and bridges near water.

Don’t be Afraid to Stop

If you find yourself drifting, pump your brakes gently to avoid locking the car up. Turn into the direction of the skid, and slowly steer out of it. If you feel uncomfortable driving in these conditions, consider staying home or pulling over until the weather has cleared. Preventing an accident is better than managing through one.

Assume Drivers Can’t Drive in Winter

Every winter will be the first for many young drives. Even experienced drives tend to forget many of their basics in extreme weather. In these environments, cars can simply drift into one another even when both parties are doing their best to control their vehicles. According to a personal injury attorney in Portland, you should try to avoid driving alongside other vehicles, and watch those around you for signs of skidding. Leave a car’s length between you and other drivers. This is especially important when driving at higher speeds and on exit ramps.

Winter plays havoc on the roads, and it’s impossible to avoid all icy conditions. With these steps and your own vigilance, you can avoid most of what winter can throw at you and your vehicle. Any accident, even a slow collision on ice, can cause injury so make sure you’re prepared before one has the chance to happen.