Tips for Driving Safely on Winter Roads
With fall moving right along, it’s getting closer to the time of year when we start thinking about getting ready for winter driving. It’s a time to think about tossing the snow chains in the trunk of the car, adding a few sand bags to the bed of our pick up truck and the weather forecast becomes something we watch daily. Below are some great winter driving tips to help you drive on those hazardous winter roads.
Remember that your tires are what keep your car on the road. You want to make sure that your tires are in the best condition to handle the road. If the tread on your tires is low, consider swapping them out. Some people have two sets of tires; one for the winter and one for the summer. If you have a new car, it probably came with low rolling tires. In the ice and snow, those are comparable to driving on ice skates. They barely have any grip due to the rubber on the tires being very hard. During the winter, some swap them out for safer tires with a good grip.
Consider carrying a set of quick chains or some type of grip enhancer for when the roads get extremely hazardous for driving.
After an ice or snow storm, always be sure to clean off your car before going anywhere. When snow piles up on your car, it reduces the visibility for you and from the drivers around you. If snow or ice covers your mirror and lights, or if snow is packed inside your fender, it is hazardous to you and others on the road. It is against the law in most states to drive with a license plate covered by snow.
Remember that bridges and overpasses are often going to freeze long before the roads do. Roads are going to stay warmer because they have properties that trap the heat from the ground below them. Bridges don’t have this, so they tend to freeze quicker.
If you get stuck in the snow or ice, putting chains on your tires is just about pointless. As a matter of fact, it probably won’t work. If you get stuck on the road, try to rock the vehicle by going forward and backwards to attempt to break the vehicle free from the road. If you notice that your tires are doing nothing but spinning, don’t attempt to go back and forth. This will only force the tires deeper into the ice or snow. Release the traction control, if you can, to see if that is what is making your tires grip.
If you run off the road, don’t get out of the car unless you know it’s safe. It’s much colder outside, and you might be waiting a while for a tow truck. You can be seriously injured if another car comes along and loses control, potentially hitting you. In a case like this, put your emergency flashers on, and try to contact someone for help.
Most of all, take it easy on treacherous roads. If you’re late to work, it’s not the end of the world. It’s not worth being in a hurry and being involved in an accident. Slow down on treacherous winter roads, and drive safe! For more tips read the infographic provided.
This infographic brought to you by Ukparkandride.com