Severe winter weather can create hazardous road conditions that can make driving on them extremely dangerous. Knowing a few safety tips will help you to drive safely when traveling in winter weather.
Safely Driving in Winter Weather
1.) The best advice for driving in severe winter weather is not to drive at all. If possible, stay at home and avoid it entirely.
2.) Don't get out on the roads and highways until the snow plows and sanding trucks have finished the task of making the roads safe for you to travel.
3.) Allow yourself plenty of extra time to reach your destination. It’s better to get there late, than not get there at all.
4.) Make sure your car is in good mechanical condition if you must drive in snowy conditions or on icy roads. Keep your headlights and windshield clean.
5.) Realize that you will have to handle difficult road conditions and be mentally prepared before you start out.
6.) Slow down and leave yourself plenty of additional room to maneuver or stop.
7.) Keep your headlights turned on to increase your visibility to other drivers on the road.
8.) Never use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads. This can be extremely dangerous.
9.) Never assume your vehicle can handle all hazardous road conditions. Even four-wheel drive and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on roads during winter.
10.) Always remember to brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
11.) Use extra care when traveling on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads or highways. These will quite often be the first to freeze. Even at temperatures above freezing, you might encounter ice in shady areas ("black ice") or on exposed roadways like bridges if the conditions are wet.
12.) Be sure to consult your owner's manual for specific tips on how to safely handle your vehicle and keep an Emergency Kit in your vehicle at all times.
Unless absolutely necessary, it is best to avoid traveling on icy roads or in snowy conditions.
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
and last but not least, get snow tires
ReplyDeleteIf you look at the tree you'll hit it. Look where you want to go, not where you are headed.
ReplyDeleteTo: anonymous
ReplyDeleteand tire chains...
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To: abraham
ReplyDeleteHitting a tree is NOT a good thing!
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with v-bar heavy duty truck tire chains
ReplyDeleteyou will go trough mud, snow and slop when noone else can muglownapove.
http://www.tirechains.com/VBAR.htm
To: vlad
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link. Tire chains... this is a good thing!
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