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Winter Driving Tips

Safe winter driving tips

 Some tips for driving in winter

Winter’s typically the most dangerous of the four seasons, which is why many drivers get anxious when there’s snow on the ground. While you should avoid driving in bad weather conditions whenever possible, sometimes you can get stuck, which is why it’s important that you adjust your driving accordingly.
 
Read on for some driving tips that will help to keep you safe during the harsh, winter months.
Change Your Tires
This has already been mentioned in a previous article, but making the switch to winter tires is paramount. All-seasons do not grip the road as well, so you may be putting yourself in unnecessary danger by not making the change.
Always put winter tires on all four wheels. Putting on only two can actually be more dangerous than having none, due to the imbalance in traction.
 
Drive Smoothly
Ensure you drive with extra caution, especially when the roads haven’t been plowed recently. It’s important that you refrain from stopping or turning too quickly, as it’s much easier to lose traction that way. Skidding is a very real concern for winter drivers, so avoid abrupt movements and keep calm and relaxed behind the wheel.  Easier said than done – but necessary just the same.
To resist the urge to push the limits, you should always give yourself extra travel time in the winter. If you leave for work ten minutes earlier you won’t have to stress and potentially put yourself in a dangerous situation.
Get Your Vehicle Serviced
The last thing you’ll want is being stuck on the road when the temperature is in the negatives. Get your vehicle serviced now, so you can avoid the risk of any problems arising in the winter.
Increase Following Distance
Drivers take longer to stop in the winter, which means you’ll need to increase your following distance to account for the extra reaction time. If you’re following gap is usually between 2-3 seconds, consider increasing it to 4-5.
Remove Snow before driving
 
Snow Removal
Whether they’re in a rush or just plain lazy, many drivers refrain from fully removing the snow from their vehicle when they leave their house in the morning. This is completely illogical, as winter driving is already more difficult, so creating more roadblocks for yourself can reduce your safety even further.
Clearing all the snow from your car is important, even on the roof of the vehicle. Chunks of snow can always fall down at inopportune times, so get a brush and remove it all before stepping into your car.
Emergency Winter Driving Kit
Winter Kit
It’s important to plan for the worst possible scenario, which is why you should create a winter survival kit for yourself and keep it in your trunk.
Emergency kit items can include: a blanket, shovel, first aid kit, non-perishable food items, flashlight, matches, tow rope, salt and cable jumpers.
Layer Yourself
Make sure to layer yourself when driving in the cold weather. Having bulky clothing can become a hindrance and affect your driving in a negative manner. Taking off your coat and wearing thinner clothing can allow you to turn your head easily, so you can check your blind spot effortlessly.