Driving during winter has its own risks. Apart from slippery roads, getting stuck somewhere might be life-threatening due to the cold temperature. Protect yourself and your family by driving safe in the snow. Here are the top 5 driving safety tips for the winter.
- Prep your car.
Preparation is key to avert disaster. This is the reason why it tops the top 5 driving safety tips for the winter. Make sure that your car is in tiptop condition every time you hit the road. You can also switch to winter tires. They are specifically designed to run through snow with the works: better traction, stronger grip, easy handling, and quick braking.
You also must check how much gas you have. Not just for long distance driving, a full gas tank does two things. It lessens moisture particularly in the fuel compartment, and it increases the weight of the car making it more beneficial for braking and slowing down. You should also check your lights as well.
- Keep a safety kit at all times.
This should be the case whether it is winter or not. For the winter, you might have to double up on supplies, especially if you will be passing through rough roads or covering a longer distance. A typical kit includes the following things:
- Food (those that do not spoil)
- Water
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Portable charger for your phone
- Booster cables
- Shovel
- First Aid Kit
- Special Medication (for family members who have certain health conditions)
- Reliable glass cleaner (for foggy windows)
You can still add more stuff to your safety kit. Find out what you need and cover all the bases.
- Be in the know.
You cannot just hit the road without knowing what temperature or road condition that you have to deal with. Have a safety-first mindset by being informed. This is important for driving safe in the snow. It is easy to gain access to a real-time weather forecast since everything is already posted online.
- Do not be in a hurry.
Slow down. This is an essential reminder among the top 5 driving safety tips for the winter. The more you speed up, the lesser your traction will be. You can be a danger not only to yourself but for other commuters as well. So, do not be in a hurry. Leave earlier if you have to. Going slow while driving through the snow could spell the difference between life and death.
- Be equipped skills-wise.
It is not enough to have supplies in the car. You have to be equipped with the right skills when you are behind the wheel during winter. This means you should know how to de-fog your windows when visibility becomes poor. You should know how to recover when your car skids.
You should likewise have a slight sixth sense in feeling when your car is about to conk out on you, or when you should slow down when a car in front of you seems to be driving irresponsibly. Remain alert and put those defensive driving skills to use. If you do so, you definitely are driving safe in the snow.
Legal advice in road accident
Even if you have mastered these top 5 driving safety tips for the winter, or have the necessary skills in driving safe in the snow, accidents can still happen. In case you find yourself in a jam, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to lessen the stress on your part. Get sound legal advice only from trusted legal consultants in your area.