Safe
Winter Driving Tips
by SolveYourProblem.com
It’s
wintertime folks! Put behind the sweet and not-so-sweet memories
of your summer driving escapades. Start revamping your car
and driving skills to drive safely in the extreme and severe,
often-hazardous conditions that you usually encounter during
winter. You have to reconsider certain driving techniques
and rules specifically while driving in snow, blizzard or wet conditions
that you will come across so often when the chill sets in.
Take a look at the following
useful winter driving tips that
might help you drive smoothly and safely throughout winter.
While
driving in winter you must always be alert of weather
conditions.
Listen carefully to all kinds of radio alerts and
weather updates while driving. You might get caught up in a
blinding snow-storm/blizzard if you are inattentive too often.
During
winter the surrounding visibility on the road is
quite poor, especially when it snows heavily or the sun remains
hidden
behind the clouds. In such dark and gloomy conditions you'll
need to drive with your car’s entire lighting system turned
fully on. This helps to enhance the visibility on the road
substantially. It also makes your car conspicuous amidst
several other cars and vehicles on the road, which is especially
important
while driving on a highway/freeway. During
winter the roads become extremely slippery. Your car
can skid dangerously if you try to accelerate carelessly. So
never drive at a high speed in winter, avoid jerky steering
while braking or accelerating to prevent skidding. Always drive
slowly within controllable, comfortable and safe posted speed
limits.
However if you think your
vehicle is hydroplaning/skidding dangerously then the best
option would be either to step on
the clutch or shift to neutral gear avoiding braking suddenly.
Go in for threshold braking instead. Do not accelerate in panic
and stay calm! Only after gaining full control should you try
to steer the vehicle in the direction you want it to go.
Check
the braking system of your car prior to winter. Make
sure that the brakes are working smoothly without jamming.
Remember you will need them quite frequently while driving
in winter to stay in control of your wheels!
Under normal driving conditions it is advised that you follow
the two-second rule that helps you leave adequate space between
your car and the vehicle in front of you for safety reasons.
But in winter it would be wise enough to double/triple the
two-second rule!
Always drive with your seat
belts buckled in winter.
Bring down the speed to not more than a crawl while negotiating
a sharp bend or corner on slippery roads in winter.
Beware
of black ice! These are road patches that appear black
and shiny and are ideal areas where your car wheels tend to
lose grip quite easily. Drive slowly and carefully with your
foot on the clutch or in neutral gear along with squeeze braking
over these patches, and avoid accelerating at all costs.
Never drive when you are fatigued in winter.
In
the car, always stock up essential food, first aid, water,
warm clothing, emergency lights, torches, blankets, shovel,
towropes, chains, etc. to handle emergency situations.
If
you're struck or stranded in a blizzard, or the traffic
just seems to have come to standstill due to accumulation of
layers of snow, do not panic. It’s better that you remain inside
your car. Call for help if the cell phone signal is strong
enough. You can draw attention to your vehicle by holding out
colored flares, emergency flashers, flags, etc. To keep yourself
warm, remain inside the car. Move your hands and feet to maintain
proper blood circulation.
In order to handle winter conditions with greater confidence
behind the steering wheel, find one of the short advanced driving
courses that teach emergency winter driving skills. Get yourself
enrolled before winter arrives.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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