4 Important Things To Remember When Driving In Snow
Winter storms turn roads and vehicles into slippery, low-visibility hazards. Driving conditions quickly become treacherous. However, with attentiveness and preparation, you can lower risks this season when learning how to drive in the snow. Checking forecasts, adapting driving habits, packing backup tools, and frequently removing ice buildup is key.
This winter driving safety guide explores small yet vital strategies to embrace for how to drive in the snow. Inspect your car before trips and adjust speeds to conditions. Keep emergency provisions on hand and clear ice buildup often. These smart shifts behind the wheel provide confidence if the unexpected still occurs. Get savvy about navigating snowy roads through simple diligence and care.
1. Conduct a Comprehensive Vehicle Inspection
Before driving in winter, inspect tires, lights, fluids, and components. Check tires for cracks, bulges, worn tread, or bald spots that can cause blowouts on snowy roads. Use the quarter test to check tread depth meets legal requirements (around 3/16 inch). Replace tires with insufficient tread. Inflate tires to the recommended winter psi level specified by the manufacturer. Proper tire inflation and tread improve grip on slippery surfaces. Ensure that all exterior lights, windshield fluid levels, defroster, wipers, and heating functions are properly working.
2. Practice Extremely Cautious Driving Habits
When driving on snowy roads, it is important to reduce your speed and increase your stopping distance. Accelerating, turning, and braking takes longer on slippery surfaces. Maintain a following distance of at least 8-10 seconds behind other vehicles, as icy roads offer little room for error. Passing plows or driving between them is highly hazardous due to limited visibility. Give maintenance crews ample space. Avoid sudden acceleration or braking; instead, brake early, decelerate gradually, and smoothly navigate turns at intersections to avoid skidding. Making gentle yet deliberate adjustments will help keep you stable and enhance safety.
3. Equip Your Vehicle with Backup Emergency Provisions
Even on short drives in winter weather, packing backup provisions is vital if you get stranded. Essentials include phone chargers, jumper cables, traction mats, flares, a first aid kit, non-perishable snacks, bottled water, extra blankets, a flashlight, and a collapsible shovel. Having alternative light sources, nutrition, and ways to get noticed or free your stuck vehicle dramatically reduces the risks of injury if immobilized in a remote area. These precautions allow you to call for help while remaining safer and more comfortable until assistance arrives.
4. Frequently Clear Away Snow and Ice Accumulation
Before driving on snow-covered roads, make sure to thoroughly remove all snow and ice from your vehicle’s hood, roof, trunk, headlights, brake lights, windows, mirrors, and license plates. Loose debris flying off cars poses a danger to other motorists by potentially hitting their windshields. Additionally, obscured lenses or mirrors hinder your visibility and awareness of surrounding vehicles. Keep an extra ice scraper, portable brush, and deicer spray in your car for longer trips to clear any additional accumulation if necessary.
Conclusion
Driving in the snow poses unique challenges due to reduced visibility and slick roads. However, you can significantly reduce risks by taking preventative measures like inspecting your vehicle, observing extreme caution on the roads, packing backup tools, and clearing off ice buildup. Embrace winter weather confidently by getting savvy about how to drive in the snow. Staying attentive and prepared provides skills to traverse stormy conditions safely all season.
