Winter Driving Safety Topics
Winter is inevitable, but getting stuck or into an accident is not.
Keep your car in good condition, use winter tires and drive defensively, and you'll increase your chances of arriving at your destination safely. Review the winter driving rules and practice your driving skills on a safe road at the first sign of snow to remind yourself of just how much longer it takes to stop or how quickly speed can get you in trouble on ice.
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Snow Tires
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Snow tires are safety insurance, but change all four tires, not just the driving wheels. Two winter tires with deep treads will overbalance slick all-season or summer tires and cause skids.
In areas with extreme winter conditions, chains may be required. Buy chains that fit your tires and know how to install them in emergency weather conditions.
Studs are used for control on soft ice. Local authorities can tell you whether they are legal in your area.
Be Prepared
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Harsh winter conditions can mean getting stuck or breaking down. Be prepared with chains, jumper cables, flares, gloves, a candle, blankets, a flashlight, food, boots, a cell phone, ice scraper, first aid kit and a towing cable.
Radio stations and automobile clubs have the current weather, road conditions and three-day forecasts. Check these sources before taking any winter road trips and leave your itinerary with friends or family.
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Defensive Driving
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Drive slower. Speed, especially before corners or going down hills, causes skids.
Leave triple the room between you and the car in front and allow more time to stop safely for lights or other obstacles.
Do not use cruise control in the winter and make sure your car is in good condition and clean, especially the windshield wipers, defroster, headlights, tail and brake lights.
Black ice forms at near freezing temperatures when ice melts and refreezes. Watch for dull, darker patches on dry roads and be ready for sudden skids. Bridges, overpasses and intersections can be icy when roads appear dry.
Skid Control
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Skids are when your tires lose traction and slide. If your vehicle begins to slip, immediately take your foot off the accelerator and steer gently in the direction you want the car to go.
Do not use your brakes, as that will increase your skid by locking your tires.
If you are traveling at speed and overcorrect the steering, you could wind up skidding in the opposite direction. If that happens, steer gently in the direction opposite the skid until your tires regain traction or you stop.
Digging Out
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Clean the snow from the front and back of your tires and spread sand, kitty litter or traction mats both in the direction you want to get out and backwards.
Gently accelerate until you feel the tires begin to spin. Put the car in reverse and go back slowly until stopped by the snow. Rock forward again, using a low, steady speed.
Too much gas will dig your tires into the snow, pack your wheel well with snow and make it harder to get your car free.
If you can not make progress rocking your car, call for a tow truck or help pushing.
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References
- Photo Credit Snow tires. Photo by Tony the Misfit: Flickr.com
