Winter brings all sorts of wonderful things with it. From holiday cheer to picturesque winter wonderlands. Yet, along with these lovely snow-capped trees and roads also come certain needs for precaution.
With such adverse weather, it’s easy to find yourself at risk of getting into a car accident. Yet, with a little bit of preparation, and the right tips, you can stay safe this winter and beyond. Here are some essential tips for staying safe on the road this winter.
Get Your Vehicle Winter-Ready
The first step is making sure that your vehicle is prepared for the months ahead. Check your tires, and make sure they have enough tread, and of course enough air. If possible, consider switching to winter tires for even better traction on the snow, and ice.
You also want to make sure that your brakes are working how they should be, as well as your headlights and fog lights. Lastly, equip your vehicle with all of the right supplies that you might need in the event of an emergency. From a flashlight to a blanket, having an emergency kit is important to ensure you’re well prepared.
Adjust Accordingly
Sometimes staying safe is simply a matter of adjusting your driving to meet the conditions. For example, if you’re driving in the rain, you want to increase your following distance, in order to give yourself plenty of room to brake. If you’re in the snow, slow down, and anticipate the snow potentially coming down heavier.
Give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination, since the snow could significantly slow you down, and even lead to traffic jams. Perhaps most important is knowing how to correct your vehicle if it starts to skid. Always steer in the direction you want to go and never slam directly on the brakes.
Stay Aware
Good visibility is everything when it comes to staying safe in challenging driving conditions. Know which lights to use when, and ensure that all of your mirrors are properly cleared off so that you can see all around you.
Make sure that your windshield wipers are in working condition so you can clear your visibility in front of you and behind you. Finding yourself in heavy snow or rain calls for proper windshield wipers to maintain a clear view of everything around you.
Know How to React
One of the most important things you can do when driving in unfavorable conditions is to know what to do in certain situations. For example, if you get into a car accident, do you know the proper steps to take? Do you know how to display a distress signal if you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere? The more you can inform yourself on how to handle a wide variety of emergency situations, the better prepared you’ll be for them.
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