{"id":619,"date":"2019-02-19T09:30:55","date_gmt":"2019-02-19T17:30:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/?p=619"},"modified":"2021-09-16T06:08:31","modified_gmt":"2021-09-16T13:08:31","slug":"winter-driving-tips-how-to-get-around-safely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/winter-driving-tips-how-to-get-around-safely\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Driving Tips: How to Get Around Safely"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Consider Winter Tires<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If possible, it\u2019s best to change out your regular all-season tires for winter tires in many areas of the nation. If snow and\/or ice are pretty much a certainty in your near future, you might consider buying a set of tires specifically designed for winter driving. In some areas, it\u2019s best to go with studded snow tires, but check your local laws first, as these tires are illegal in some areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prepare Your Car<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to your tires, there are other things on your car that you need to check when it starts to get cold outside. For instance, you\u2019ll need to make sure that your coolant is up to the job of preventing the engine block from freezing. If it has been five years or more since the last flush, now is a good time to flush out the radiator and change your coolant. You\u2019ll also need to make sure that your heater works, and that your battery, starter, and alternator are in good condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A simple charging system test from your local mechanic should include a test of the battery, starter, and alternator. If your battery is marginal, consider going ahead and replacing it. Winter is the most common time for batteries to die, and you don’t want to find yourself stranded with a dead battery in the middle of a snow storm. You should also make sure that your wipers are in good condition, and that your headlights and high beams work. Double check your taillights, turn signals, and side marker lights, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take It Slow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Remember that speed limits are set based on perfect driving conditions. So, while it might be perfectly fine to do 55 mph on the highway when the sun is shining and it\u2019s warm out, that\u2019s not the case in the winter. Common sense should prevail here \u2013 slow it down. Always reduce your speed, and make sure to leave more space between you and the car in front of you than you would in good weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Your Chains Out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t invest in a set of studded snow tires, or snow is possible but studded snow tires aren\u2019t legal where you live, you should invest in a set of tire chains. Again, these aren\u2019t legal in all areas of the country \u2013 just in those where snow accumulation is the norm. Buy a set sized to fit your tires, and then make sure they stay in your trunk. This can help prevent you from being stranded if an unexpected snowstorm pops up. Of course, you need to make sure you know how to put your chains on. Practice several times if you\u2019ve never had to do it before, or if you\u2019re feeling a little bit rusty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep a Winter Safety Bag on Hand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Winter is not the time to find yourself stranded and unprotected. Make sure that you have a wintertime safety bag<\/a>, and that it\u2019s fully stocked in your car. It should include extra clothing, a blanket or a sleeping bag, road flares, hand warmers (chemical-based) and anything else you might need to survive a night if you\u2019re stranded somewhere without help and the mercury plummets. This can include a flashlight (with spare batteries), an ice scraper, gloves, and more. Wisconsin\u2019s government<\/a> has a good example of what you should pack in your kit \u2013 you can add or subtract from it as you need, but this is a great place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice Driving on Snow and Ice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If at all possible, find an empty parking lot or another infrequently traveled area where snow and ice are present. Practice driving here to familiarize yourself with how your vehicle moves on slick surfaces, and how it reacts to different actions on your part. Take it slow, but go through all the maneuvers that you know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know How to Handle a Skid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The most common way that people find themselves in an accident in winter weather is by skidding out of control. It\u2019s vital that you know how to handle a skid if you find yourself in one. Your first instinct will be to try to steer the car straight. That is, you\u2019ll want to steer out of the skid. That\u2019s not the right move, and it could result in flipping the car over. Instead, turn into the skid. So, if the car is skidding to the left, turn left as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Stop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re driving on ice or snow and ice, try to avoid stopping if at all possible. This is particularly true for hills, but applies to level roadways, as well. Stopping could mean getting stuck if your tires lose traction. However, avoid the temptation to power up hills \u2013 this can make your tires spin. You\u2019ll lose traction and possibly lose control of your car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay at Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If there\u2019s serious winter weather in the forecast, consider just staying home unless you have no other option. Each year, hundreds of people across the country are stranded or involved in auto accidents in the winter simply because they decided they wanted to get on the road when they really did not have to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know Your Common Hazards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Depending on where you live, you\u2019ll face a number of specific hazards. For instance, snow is pretty common in the Northeast and some western states like Utah<\/a>. In the Southeast, ice is the issue. It\u2019s actually easier and safer to drive on snow than on ice, but both surfaces require different precautions. In some instances, you might have ice overlaid by water, such as during storms with freezing rain or sleet. In this case, you\u2019ll have very little traction in your car, and it\u2019ll be very easy to lose control. Know the winter driving hazards that are most common for your particular area and then prepare for them accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep an Eye on the Weather<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A prepared driver is a safer driver. Keep an eye on the weather and know what the forecast is for each day, particularly if you\u2019re going to be driving around in it. Obviously, you will want to be prepared if there\u2019s a major snow event on the way, but the same thing applies if you\u2019ll be experiencing freezing rain, sleet, or just rain with the potential for the temperatures to drop below freezing before you can make it back home. Make sure that you watch the weather every day, and if possible, install a trusted weather app on your phone (The Weather Channel is one of the best options, but there are others that might be worth your time).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, driving in the winter is dangerous, and it pays to be prepared. Make sure that your car is ready for the rigors of wintertime driving, and that you know how to handle the various situations that you might encounter. When you\u2019re on the road in winter, caution should be the golden rule. However, if you can avoid getting on the road in the first place, this is the best possible decision, particularly if the weather is bad.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Consider Winter Tires If possible, it\u2019s best to change out your regular all-season tires for winter tires in many areas of the nation. If snow and\/or ice are pretty much a certainty in your near future, you might consider buying a set of tires specifically designed for winter driving. In some areas, it\u2019s best to go with studded snow tires, but check your local laws first, as these tires are illegal in some areas. Prepare Your Car In addition to your tires, there are other things on your car that you need to check when it starts to get cold <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":620,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nWinter Driving Tips: How to Get Around Safely<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Inclement winter weather can cause severe driving conditions. 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