Winter driving safety tips

Ah, winter driving. For those of us who need to deal with this issue annually, I think it has to be after sitting in traffic for 45 minutes or fishtailing out in the middle of a busy street when we first ask ourselves, “Why again do we not live in Florida?” For those of us living in the northern half of the United States, learning to drive in wintery conditions is as necessary as learning that yellow snow does not taste like “lemon.” I’d like to share a few ways drivers everywhere should prepare and handle their automobiles this winter.

Prepare for winter conditions

Knowing you’ll face difficult conditions and preparing accordingly is a huge first step towards safe winter driving. Always staying informed with weather reports and delaying trips due to bad weather are important. If you must travel in inclement weather, be sure to let others know what your route is and when you will be arriving. Keep half a tank of gas in the car at all times, also store important safety devices like flashlights, extra gloves, blankets, food, water, winter hats and any necessary medications – and WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT.

Drive slowly and deliberately

Once the car gets moving, operate the vehicle using deliberate and thought-out motions, to avoid any slipping or sliding. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads. The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to 10 seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.

Know your brakes, too. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.

Know how to navigate on hills

Don’t power up hills. Giving your car extra gas on a hill only makes your wheels spin, instead get some momentum going before the hill and let it carry you to the top. Putting an automatic transmission on a lower gear will also increase traction on the road. Once you reach the top of the hill, proceed down the other side slowly, and apply brakes liberally so you do not have to slam on them and cause a sliding situation. Also, do not ever stop when proceeding up a hill, chances are once you lose your momentum it will be almost impossible to start moving uphill again (I learned this one the hard way.)

If the worst happens, stay put!

If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides shelter and makes it easy for rescuers to find you. Walking in a severe storm is not advised, it’s easy to lose sight of your car in the blowing snow and you may be come lost. If you try to push your car out of the snow, take frequent rests so you do not over exert yourself. A great way to alert rescue personnel is by affixing a colored fabric to your antenna as a distress signal. Also, you can leave the cabin light on since it only uses a small amount of electricity. Use whatever is available to insulate your body (floor mats, paper maps, newspapers, etc.) and run the engine or heater long enough to warm yourself.

Stay home

If you really do not have to go out, don’t. Even if you’re a fantastic winter driver, most aren’t – and they are out there driving, too. Don’t tempt fate. Enjoy the winter wonderland safely inside your living room instead of out on the treacherous roads.

Matt Moretti is a Project Manager at Mom Central Consulting and hates winter driving so much he does not even own a car.

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