Having your winter tires installed on your car and packing a windshield scraper is a good start to being prepared to drive in the winter, but as the cold weather gets harsher, the driving conditions get worse. With this comes the tendency for some people to overcorrect or not know how to stop properly, or know how to steer when their car starts to skid. To put it simply: many good drivers are not at their best in winter weather. Here is some guidance for making sure you have a safe trip this winter.
Driving Safely in the Snow
Bad weather, poor road conditions and winter storms account for almost half a million crashes each winter, and more than 2,000 deaths. You should practice defensive driving always, and your best bet is to stay home if you can. If you absolutely must leave where you are and drive in the snow, here are some tips:
- Always drive slowly – you have low traction on snow or ice
- Decelerate and accelerate slowly – this will prevent spinning out or other potential accidents
- Increase the distance between you and the car ahead of you. Several car lengths – at least to five or six seconds
How to Prepare for Winter Driving
Good defensive driving is great, but you should also prepare for the worst. This means keeping your car stocked up with provisions and a robust emergency kit in case of an accident, a breakdown, being stranded, or worse.
- Keep extra food and water in your car, along with warm clothes, a blanket, a glass scraper, a flashlight, medications and anything else you could need if you end up stranded in your car
- Keep your tires properly inflated and make sure they have sufficient tread
- Make sure your car always has at least half a tank of fuel
- Don’t warm your car up in a garage or any other enclosed area, as you run the very real and high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning – you cannot see or smell carbon monoxide, so you won’t know when it’s a problem
- Don’t use your car’s cruise control function if you’re driving somewhere slippery like on snow or ice
Driving Long Distance in the Snow
If you’re going on a trip and have to drive in the snow, make sure your car is functioning. Get it checked out to make sure nothing needs to be replaced. Also, plan ahead by:
- Checking the weather along the route you’re taking, and delay if the weather is going to be bad
- Let people know when you are leaving and where you are going – share your route with trusted people
- Don’t leave your vehicle if you are stuck in the snow, since your vehicle will be your shelter. It can be remarkably easy to lose track of your vehicle in a snowstorm
- If you have to dig your vehicle out of snow, don’t keep going if you’re tired – take a break
- Clear your exhaust pipe if you’re stuck in the snow so that exhaust and carbon monoxide don’t enter the car (it will kill you)
