Driving Safe in Winter: Tips That Can Save Your Life!

Severe weather conditions can become highly hazardous – especially while driving or traveling – and may induce fear. Winter storms, slippery road surfaces, and other adverse weather conditions contribute to numerous accidents and fatalities on the road. To ensure safety during winter driving, drivers must comprehend and follow a few of the established safety guidelines.

This article will consider some potentially life-saving tips every driver should follow to stay safe driving in severe weather conditions, based on recommendations from veteran attorney Russell Berkowitz.

In Cold Weather

If you are driving in cold weather, ensure you have a bundle of cold-weather gear in your car. This includes warm clothing, medications, blankets, a glass scraper, a flashlight, and extra food and water, among other things. Also, ensure you properly inflate your tires and that they have more than enough tread before you get on the road. In addition, your vehicle’s fuel tank should be at least half full at all times. Avoid warming up the vehicle in an enclosed area like a garage, and avoid using cruise control on slippery surfaces.

In the Snow

Driving in the snow can go awry extremely quickly, even for expert bad-weather drivers. When it snows, the first thing you want to avoid doing is going out unless you absolutely cannot help it. If you do need to go out, however, ensure your speed is adjusted for lower traction. Meanwhile, if you want to regain traction and avoid skidding, apply gas slowly. Take your time to slow down for a stoplight, as it takes longer to slow down on cold, icy roads. Also, maintain a following distance of at least five to six seconds; this will give you a large buffer in case you need to stop.

Regardless of your brake, keep your foot heel on the floor. Then, apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal with the ball of your foot. Also, if you are facing a red light, avoid completely stopping if you can. See if you can slow down enough to keep rolling until the red light changes to green. Lastly, moving up a hill on icy roads can be terrible; gather some inertia before you climb.

In Long-Distance Trips

If you are traveling a long distance in winter, you need to ensure your vehicle is AAA-certified before you hit the road. Next, check the weather along the route you intend to take. If possible, delay your trip, especially if bad weather is imminent. Before you get on the road, tell others about your route, destination, and the time you plan on getting there so you have someone who can check in or send help in an emergency.

If You Get Stuck While Driving in the Snow

If your vehicle gets stuck while driving in the snow, stay with it; you will have temporary shelter, and rescuers can easily locate you. If you take a walk, you can easily lose sight of your vehicle and get lost in the snow. If you are digging out your vehicle, be careful not to over-exert yourself; stop when you are tired. Ensure your exhaust pipe is not clogged with mud, snow, or ice, as it can cause carbon monoxide leakage, which is very deadly. Furthermore, attach a brightly-colored cloth to your vehicle’s antenna to send a distress signal. Keep your dome light on at night if possible.

Conclusion

Driving in extreme weather is scary, regardless of the level of your driving skills. The best thing any driver can do for themself is to stay safe and cautious at all times. For instance, insulate your body with whatever you can find, including paper maps, floor mats, and even newspapers. Better still, you should pack blankets and heavy clothing for emergencies. Another tip is to ensure you conserve your fuel as much as possible. Even the most skilled drivers can find themselves in dangerous situations on slippery roads. It’s crucial for all drivers to prioritize safety during winter travel by preparing for emergencies and practicing caution at all times.