Whether it brings ice, snow, extreme cold, wind or all of the above, winter driving is associated with numerous safety risks. If you are among the 70% of Americans that live in snowy regions, then it is important to review some tips for driving in wintry conditions.
Staying safe on the road during winter weather begins before you even start your car. Maintaining your vehicle and checking the heater, tires, brakes and fluids before cold weather arrives is a good first step towards being prepared for the season. Having an A.S.E. certified technician run a full inspection on your vehicle can help prevent inconvenient and risky breakdowns. Test your wipers to make sure they are clearing windows adequately. You should also make sure that extra hats, gloves, snow brushes, ice scrapers, flashlights, an emergency supply of medications, blankets, a shovel and snacks are in your vehicle and stored in an easy to access place.
AAA recommends keeping the fuel tank at least half full at all times during the winter season and making sure your tires are properly inflated. Most newer vehicles are equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, but it is a good idea to keep a tire pressure gauge in your glovebox and regularly check the pressure yourself. Tire pressure monitoring systems can malfunction in cold weather and checking the pressure yourself can prevent hazardous, time-consuming and costly tire damage from occurring.
The best way to stay safe during snow and ice events is to stay home. If you must leave home for work or emergencies, adjust your driving to compensate for slick roadways. Do not use cruise control on snow, ice or water covered roads. Accelerating and braking should be done slowly and your speed should be significantly reduced. Following distances should be increased to at least five to six seconds. Clear all ice and snow off your car before driving. Snow and ice that are left on your vehicle can cause visibility disturbances for you and other drivers. When going up hills, do not stop and do not over-accelerate.
Anyone who lives in areas that experience snow and ice will likely have to deal with a vehicle stuck in the snow at some point. It could be that your vehicle gets stuck in a parking space due to significant snow or being blocked in by plowed debris. In this case, carefully shovel all obstructing snow away, sprinkling salt, sand or cat litter near tires, before attempting to slowly pull out of the space. Make sure that your exhaust pipe is cleared off and cleaned out before starting your vehicle.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in snow as the result of sliding off the road, it may be possible to dislodge the vehicle on your own, but this requires extreme caution. Stay alert and watch for approaching vehicles while working. Wear bright colored clothing so that other drivers can see you. Take breaks while shoveling and clear the area around the vehicle by moving smaller amounts of snow. Lifting heavy shovel-fulls may initially save time, but it can increase muscular and cardiac health risks. Always stay near your vehicle and save fuel by only running the engine/heaters enough to alleviate excessive chill. Clear the area around your vehicle’s exhaust pipe before running the engine. If you are unable to free your vehicle, call a towing company.
National Safety Education Center Blog 