How to Maneuver City Streets With High Snow Banks

Winter driving can be hazardous, particularly when you're driving in the city with snow banks piled high along narrow city streets. Some of the keys to keeping safe while you're driving in the snow include making sure that your vehicle is ready for winter driving and that you have clear visibility and good traction.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Equip your car for winter driving. Make sure you have snow tires or chains for extreme winter driving weather. Maintain your vehicle to ensure optimum performance in the snow.

2. Clear snow off of your car before you leave home to ensure sufficient visibility to maneuver city streets. This includes clearing snow off the lights and hood. Make sure that your wipers are cleared of snow and that your washer fluid works.

3. Drive smoothly and carefully. Keep both hands on the wheel. Accelerate slowly and turn into corners slowly.

4. Proceed carefully to maneuver city streets with high snowbanks. Move slowly around corners where visibility may be blocked by snowbanks to ensure that you don't hit any pedestrians or slide into oncoming traffic.

5. Wait your turn. If a street is narrow because of accumulated snow and high snowbanks, then allow vehicles on the other side to proceed and wait to move forward.

6. Keep as much distance as you reasonably can on narrow city streets between you and any vehicles in front of you to avoid having to brake quickly in the snow.

7. Treat intersections as a four-way stop if high snowbanks cover traffic signs.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow extra driving time to and from any destination so you won't be tempted to drive recklessly in the snow along narrow city streets with high snowbanks.