Modern life doesn’t stop just because a blizzard comes. Sometimes driving in the snow is a necessary evil. If you are not used to driving in poor weather conditions, take note of the following three tips.
Drive the Right Car
Driving the right car can help you avoid the high costs of serious accidents. Cars that have all-wheel drive capabilities can help you keep your tires on the ground in the snow. All-wheel drive cars operate under the principle that the tire that has the most traction should have the most power because that tire, combined with more engine power, has the best chance to get you out of the snow. There are some additional steps you can take to augment the power that your all-wheel-drive vehicle has. More than anything, combining this function with a good set of snow tires can keep you safer as you drive this winter.
Drive Carefully
Everything seems to slow down a little bit when you’re driving in the winter, or it should. Even the safest drivers can hit a patch of black ice and slide off the road as a result of it. As such, there are a few steps you can take to improve your chances of arriving safely. Keep extra space between you and the car in front of you. If you can help it, try not to step on your brakes suddenly. Rather, you should gently pump your brakes to slow down on icy roads. It’s best to drive as slowly as you safely can. Some driving experts even recommend that people who drive in icy conditions slow their speed down to half of the posted speed limit.
Know When to Stay Home
Sometimes, the best thing that you can do to ensure that your winter travels stay safe is to stay off the road until conditions get better. For example, if your route takes you over dark mountain passes at night, it might be best to wait at least until daylight has come. If it is not an option for you to stop traveling, then you may want to look into either alternate forms of transportation or alternate routes. While it’s not ideal to go out during the middle of a blizzard, you have a better chance of making it safely if you drive on roads that have already been plowed and sanded. Pay attention to the road reports before you head out.
Winter driving conditions are not for the faint of heart. Safely navigating the roads when the snow and ice comes has a lot to do with how safe your vehicle is and how prepared you are to drive in such conditions. Adding snow tires to a car that already has all-wheel drive should be one of the first steps you take to stay safe on icy roads. The rest of your driving plan should include defensive driving techniques, like pumping your brakes in the snow and driving more slowly. Finally, sometimes it’s best to just stay off the roads if you can so you can keep yourself and your family safe.
