Winter Driving Tips to Keep You Safe on Icy Roads
Driving during the winter presents itself with a completely different set of challenges and situations. Below are some suggestions to consider when driving in adverse conditions that will help you get you to your destination without trouble.
7 Winter Driving Safety Tips
1. Keep Your Gas Tank Full
The cold can cause condensation to build up within your gas tank. Water is heavier than gas and will settle at the bottom of your tank and freeze, thus leaving you stranded. Keep your gas tank at least half full to cut down on the surface area inside your fuel tank where water can condense and eventually settle in the bottom of the tank.
If you are ever stranded, a full gas tank will allow you to keep your vehicle running longer and the heater warm.
2. Listen To The Radio For Announcements
Knowing what is ahead of you before you travel is a safe practice and will help you avoid accidents, keep you away from trouble areas and let you know when severe weather is approaching.
Call your local highway patrol if this information isn’t available.
Don’t drive if you don’t have to.
3. Let Others Know Your Route
Let someone at your destination know what route you will be taking and approximately what time you should arrive.
In the unfortunate event you are stranded and unable to contact help there will be someone to alert the authorities and inform them where to start looking.
4. Keep Your Phone Charged
Make sure your phone is fully charged before you travel and while traveling, keep it on a charger while you drive.
5. Keep Your Headlights On
Visibility is not only important for you to see others, but is also important for other drivers to see you. This safe practice will help you avoid collisions.
6. Drive Gently
Quick and sudden movements will cause your vehicle to lose traction which could lead to an accident.
Accelerate slowly to avoid spinning your tires.
Turn slowly to avoid sliding or spinning out.
Brake early and carefully to avoid sliding or colliding with someone or something in front of you.
7. Do Not Be Overconfident
Anti-Lock Brakes are not a foolproof way of stopping your vehicle when sliding. Anticipate sudden stops.
Traction control does NOT generate traction, it regulates your vehicle’s power output to the wheels. Gently accelerate from a stopped position so that you don’t slide as you begin moving.
4×4/AWD will not increase your braking ability, in fact, these vehicles are usually heavier and require more distance to stop.
