With residents in some New Hampshire towns already seeing snow flurries, and a possible Nor’easter headed for our area later this week, it’s important to begin preparing for winter. From getting a flu shot to pricing out snow blowers and plows, there are many steps NH residents may take to prepare for our winter season, but one of the most important precautions to take is brushing up on your winter driving safety tips. Considering the freezing rain, sleet and hail we are accustomed to receiving during the winter, it’s crucial to keep safety in mind behind the wheel at this time of year. Use the following winter driving safety tips we’ve compiled to help you remain safe on slippery roads:
Plan your route ahead of time and check your local weather forecast regularly to ensure that you are aware of changing weather conditions.- Just as you prepare yourself and your home for winter, your vehicle also requires preparation for this season. Make sure your car is tuned up and ready for winter weather before a storm hits. Did you know that tire pressure drops by about one pound for every 10 degrees the temperature drops? Be sure to check tire pressure, as low pressure can render driving your vehicle difficult and dangerous.
- Request that your car mechanic check your heating and cooling systems. The best cold weather combination is a 50-50 mix of anti-freeze and water because of its lower freezing point.
- Keep your gas tank as close to full as possible at all times during the winter, as you can never predict when your vehicle might get stuck in the snow or on ice.
- Decrease your speed. It’s important to allow more time to travel to your destination in the winter to avoid speeding in unsafe weather conditions. Avoid speeding at all costs and maintain safe following distances behind other vehicles, as braking is more difficult with snow and ice on the roads.
- Remember to clean your car after a winter storm, especially your headlights. If you allow salt to build up on your headlights, it could impact your visibility behind the wheel, especially at night. Ridding the rest of your car of snow and ice is not only an important safety precaution, but eliminating this extra weight will also help you get better gas mileage.
- Make sure your windshield wipers are working properly and you have an ample supply of windshield washer fluid.
- To avoid skidding on slick roads, be sure to slow down ahead of turns and curves, plan ahead for lane changes, be on the lookout for ice patches, piles of wet leaves, and shady areas, and anticipate stopping at all intersections.
- If you feel your car starting to skid, remain calm. Do not slam on your brakes, but rather steer in the direction your vehicle is sliding until you feel it regain traction. Then, slowly straighten your wheels and allow your vehicle to continue slowly rolling.
- Avoid distractions at all costs, from using your cell phone to inputting an address into your navigation system. Accomplish these tasks before putting your car in drive to help avoid accidents.
Keeping winter driving safety tips in mind at all times will help ensure that you, your passengers, and everyone else on the roads remains safe during this slippery season. At Knapton, Reade & Woods, your safety is important to us. For additional winter driving safety tips and related safety information, please read our blog, or visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+.
