Although it’s not advisable to drive in winter weather conditions, sometimes you have to. You only have to make a few small adjustments to your driving habits to stay safe on the road.
Make sure your vehicle is properly prepared
This includes checking your tires, brakes, and fluid levels. You should also check your windshield wipers and make sure they’re in good condition. If your car isn’t properly prepared for winter weather, you could be putting yourself at risk for a motor vehicle accident.
Use caution when driving on slippery roads
When the roads are icy, it’s important to take it slow. Accelerate and decelerate slowly, and try to keep your braking to a minimum to avoid motor vehicle accidents. If you need to turn, do so slowly and make sure to use your turning signal.
Use the right beams when driving at night
When you drive during the day, your headlights should be on low beams. During the day they only shine about 150 feet in front of you so there’s not too much danger of blinding other drivers. When it starts to get dark out, turn them onto high beams so that you can see up to 300 feet ahead of you.
Be careful when driving in snowstorms or blizzards
Snow can get quite heavy. If you’re driving in a snowstorm or blizzard, keep your distance from other cars. If you can’t see anything at all because of the amount of snow falling, pull over and wait for it to stop.
Watch for ice patches on the road and don’t cruise control
Driving too fast could cause you to lose control if you hit an icy patch. If you have to drive on ice, keep your speed down and don’t brake hard. Also, don’t use cruise control when there’s snow or black ice on the road. Cruise control is designed for normal conditions so it can be dangerous to use in winter weather. You could lose control of your vehicle if you try using it while driving.
It is possible to drive safely in winter weather conditions. All you need is to make a little effort to adjust your driving and be cautious when on the road. Follow these tips to help keep you safe while driving this winter.