The wintertime can be beautiful but also cold, icy, and snowy. You may have to drive to work each day or are planning a road trip to visit relatives.
In either case, you must know some tips for staying safe on the road in winter. It’ll make for better and easier travels and will help ensure you stay safe and out of danger. Learn more about what can be done to confirm your experience on the winter roads is a positive one.
1. Prepare Your Vehicle
One tip for staying safe on the road in winter is to prepare your vehicle for the conditions and keep up with routine maintenance so it’s ready to go when you need it. It may or may not include making sure your wipers and lights work and adding antifreeze to the radiator. You should also check your tyres and shop for the products available through 5 Star Tyres if you need to replace them before the weather takes a turn for the worse. Your tyres not only need to have plenty of tread depth but also be at the correct pressure.
2. Go Slow & Have Patience
One of the best ways to stay safe on the road in winter is to go slow and have patience. It’s especially important if traffic is backed up or you’re on a busy road. Make sure you avoid speeding because you’ll risk getting into an accident if you hit any ice or slippery patches. Be patient with yourself and other drivers as you try to make it safely to your final destination. Leave early so you’re not rushing to your location and aren’t tempted to speed. Take precautions when passing other vehicles and don’t use cruise control in icy conditions.
3. Keep Your Distance
It’s also important and wise that you keep your distance from other vehicles that are on the road in the winter and when driving in snow. Leave at least a car’s length or more between your car and the vehicle in front of you. It’ll provide you with an increased margin of safety if traffic comes to a halt. You want to be prepared and ready to brake if the cars ahead of you suddenly stop. Learn how to handle your car so you skid smart if need be. It’s another reason you want to give yourself plenty of time to get to where you’re going.
4. Plan Your Trip in Advance
You should always plan for an emergency, especially in the wintertime. For instance, pack your car with water, blankets, a flashlight, a map, and a portable phone charger for long journeys. You want to make sure that if you get stranded or stuck that you’re in good hands until someone can arrive at the scene and help you. Also, map out your route in advance and make sure you know which roads to take and which will be the least dangerous. For instance, you might want to avoid back roads and take highways that you know will be cleared and salted.
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