5 tips for driving in winter
Posted by admin at 2 December 2020, at 11 : 00 AM
Driving in winter is rarely pleasant. With icy conditions, busier roads and fewer daylight hours, unfortunately, driving in winter often sees an increase in accidents. If you’ve been involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you might want to look into contacting personal injury attorneys. They may be able to inform you further about your situation. It’s always worth having a conversation – do your research and make informed decisions, as the consequences could be severe otherwise.
Driving in winter is difficult, but it isn’t impossible. Most of us need to drive to get to work, so we can’t stop driving altogether. So, here are 5 tips for driving in winter.
Keep your distance
When the roads are icy and snowy, your stopping distance increases. This is because braking takes longer and there’s a chance that your vehicle might skid. So, it’s important to leave a greater distance between you and the vehicle in front. You don’t want to cause an accident. Your stopping distance in serious ice could be ten times higher than a dry road, so be careful and leave a big space.
Invest in winter tires
Winter tires are a useful investment for people living in states that regularly see snowy conditions in winter. They are similar to your normal tires, except they are specially built with additional grip to help driving in winter conditions. Swap out your tires when the weather starts getting colder. Winter tires can be expensive, but they’re an investment that could save your life.
Give yourself additional time
Driving in winter can be a slow and tedious affair. When you’re running late, the sight of a frozen windshield that needs defrosting can be disastrous. And then there are the icy roads which require a much slower pace. Instead of getting stressed, barely scraping the windshield and driving quickly in dangerous conditions, give yourself more time in the morning. Wake up half an hour earlier to make the roads safer.
Take the back routes
The roads are often busier in winter. There are more vehicles because no one fancies walking in freezing temperatures. December is a particularly hectic month, with people driving to Christmas parties or to visit their families. Driving in heavy traffic can be stressful and accidents can happen. People often get frustrated and are tempted to speed or tailgate. So, avoid a stressful scenario by checking the traffic beforehand and taking the back routes where possible. Sure, they might be a little longer, but it’ll be a smoother drive.
Check your lights
Fully working lights are essential in winter. With fewer daylight hours, you’ll find yourself driving in darkness a lot more. It’s important to have full visibility when you’re driving, so check your vehicle regularly to ensure all your lights are working. If you find any faults, take your vehicle to a mechanic to get them fixed. It’s not worth the risk.