How to Drive Safely in the Winter

Although it is true that it has always been difficult to drive, today that is even more the case because of an increase in terrific congestion, the advent of road rage, the use of mind-altering substances, and other distractions more than ever before. When you add to this the challenges of driving in the winter, you have a good recipe for disaster.

When you add to the mix such things as snow and freezing rain, not to mention poor visibility, you are met with a whole new set of challenges. Under such conditions, extra caution is required when driving. Here are some ideas for keeping you safe when dealing with driving in snow and ice as well as freezing temperatures:

Drive slower. Since you now have less traction on your tires, you need to slow down and reduce your speed. Don’t let cars behind you put pressure on you and don't think about being late. Since it may take you longer in inclement weather, you should start out earlier.
Don’t tailgate. You need to keep at least a three second distance between yourself and the vehicle that you are following, and that is under normal conditions. It's a good idea to add another second making it a four second following distance giving more top to stop if necessary. At night make it five seconds.

Be careful about breaking. If you hit the breaks too hard you may very well go into a skid and lose control of your vehicle. Anti-lock brakes mean there is no need to pump the break. Just keep a constant pressure to increase control, even in wet conditions.

Be ready to deal with patches of ice. Stay alert and slow your vehicle in areas where patches of ice might tend to form, such as bridges and overpasses.

When in hardened snow drive in the ruts. The tire marks left behind by other traffic can give you much needed traction. When changing lanes hold on to wheel with a firm grip.

Avoid going out if possible! In really bad weather, delay or avoid all but the most necessary travel.

Don’t depend on Four-wheel Drive. At low speeds it may give you a safer ride but at highway speeds there is no advantage. And you can't stop any quicker.

First check your traction on a new read. When entering a new read first check your ability to stop and to hold the read. Carefully apply your brakes to do this. Although a read might appear to be dry ice crystals can make it dangerous.