Tips for Driving in the Snow: The Ultimate Guide to Winter Driving

When snow falls and the temperature drops, many drivers are left wondering what on earth they should do. Snowfall is an unusual occurrence in most parts of the world, which means that most people aren’t well equipped to react to it. If you live in a region where snow and freezing temperatures are routine, you’ll want to make sure that you’re prepared for this kind of weather whenever it comes around. Luckily, with some research and practice, driving in the snow isn’t all that difficult. It helps to have the right car if you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow. For example, if you have an older vehicle with smaller tires or a manual transmission, it might not be such a good idea to drive it when there’s a risk of ice or snow patches on the road ahead. Keep reading for helpful tips on how to drive safely during the winter months!

Prepare Your Vehicle Before the Snow Arrives

The best way to drive in the snow is to be prepared. That means checking your car’s condition, taking care of any repairs that might be needed, and stocking up on the supplies you might need if you get stranded in a storm. Some supplies you’ll want to make sure you have on hand include: – A charged cell phone and a car charger – A full tank of gas – A thermos full of coffee – A bag of snacks – A first aid kit – A shovel and a sack of sand (for traction on icy patches) – A container of sand or cat litter (for traction on icy patches) – A bag with salt, kitty litter, sand or gravel (for traction on icy patches) – A fluorescent vest or highly visible jacket – An extra pair of warm clothes – A road map of your state and a compass – A flashlight – A blanket

Drive Slowly and Stay in Control

The best way to drive in the snow is to be careful. This means driving slowly and paying special attention to the road conditions, especially if the snowfall has been heavy. Don’t try to accelerate and push your way through a snowstorm. Instead, take your time and drive at a pace that will keep you in control, even if it means you’ll get to your destination a little later than usual. When you’re driving on a highway, watch for patches of ice and areas where snow has built up and accumulated. If there are other cars on the road that look like they’re skidding or driving too fast for the road conditions, you may want to slow down or change lanes to give them more room.

Don’t Stop on Slippery Surfaces

One of the most common driving mistakes people make in the winter is stopping on slippery surfaces. If you’re headed down a hill and your tires start to spin or lose traction, don’t stop. Instead, get off the road as soon as you can and drive to a safe location where you can stop without endangering yourself or other drivers. Keep in mind that if you’re driving in an area with snow or ice on the ground, your car’s wheels will pick up that material and leave behind a streak of slippery slush behind you. If you need to stop on an icy patch, try to do so in an area with less traffic, such as a side street or a parking lot.

Estimate the Distance You’ll need to Stop

If you’re driving in snowy conditions, you’ll need to know how far you’ll need to stop so that you can avoid hitting patches of ice or other hazards on the road. While you can’t know exactly how quickly you’ll stop, you can estimate your stopping distance by driving at the speed limit and counting how many seconds it takes for you to come to a complete stop. When you’re driving, try to keep a good distance between you and the cars ahead of you, so that you have time to react if something happens in front of you. You may also want to avoid driving during rush hour when there will be more traffic on the road.

Use Better Means of Communication

If you get stuck in a snowstorm and you’re worried that you won’t be able to reach help, consider investing in a pair of walkie-talkies or another type of communication device you can use to alert someone to your situation. In addition, make sure that you have the phone numbers of nearby emergency services saved in your cell phone, so that you can easily call for help if you need it. If you’re driving with other people, be sure to keep each other informed about your plans and where you’re going, in case you get separated.

Bottom Line

Driving in the snow isn’t for everyone. If you don’t feel comfortable behind the wheel when conditions are bad, there’s no shame in taking a bus, an Uber, or a taxi. Don’t put yourself or other people in danger just because you want to be macho. Instead, try to follow these tips to drive safely in the snow, and you’ll have a much easier time getting wherever you need to go.

Tips for Driving in the Snow: The Ultimate Guide to Winter Driving

Prepare Your Vehicle Before the Snow Arrives

Drive Slowly and Stay in Control

Don’t Stop on Slippery Surfaces

Estimate the Distance You’ll need to Stop

Use Better Means of Communication

Bottom Line

Popular Searches

Read more Articles

Services

Come to us!