Every year, over 1,000 people in the US die in major car accidents caused by snowy, slushy, or icy weather conditions. Driving in the winter is unavoidable for most people who still need to commute to work, attend school, and see to other responsibilities.
Despite not being able to give up driving in winter, there are things you can do to increase driver and passenger safety during the colder months.
Not sure what they are? Here are some safe driving tips for winter to help you increase your road safety during hazardous conditions.
1. Always Check the Weather Beforehand
One of the best winter driving tips is something that you might do anyway before leaving your house every morning. Check your weather app to see if any snowy or foggy conditions are on the way. Make note of any weather warnings or temperatures below freezing.
The view outside your window might look clear, but that doesn’t mean it will be in three hours’ time or 30 miles away.
2. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Trunk
You should already have an emergency kit in your car. But there are a few winter essentials you need to add to it as the days get colder. Here’s a checklist you can use as a guide:
- Ice scraper and de-icer
- Torch with spare batteries
- Thermal blanket
- First aid kit
- Road atlas
- Phone charger
- Sunglasses
- GPS
- Empty gas can
Having “sunglasses” in your winter emergency kit might seem odd, but the winter sun can often affect your vision more than the summer sun.
3. Remove All Ice and Snow From Your Car
This is one of the most key safe driving tips for winter because a lot of people think they’re doing this, but they aren’t. Many people rush out to their car to de-ice it as they are running late for work. They only remove a sliver of ice from their windscreen to see out of and hop in.
That’s not enough! You need to get rid of all the ice from your windshield and knock any snow from the roof of your car too. These are all potential hazards you need to remove.
4. Turn On Your Headlights
This is unnecessary when the winter sun is beating down but in foggy conditions, you should turn on your headlights. This isn’t only so you can see better but so other drivers can see you too.
Being extra cautious might pay off if you ever have to visit your local office of accident attorneys. The more you can do to prove you were driving safely, the better!
Remember These Safe Driving Tips for Winter
Under normal winter weather conditions, there’s no reason why you can’t hit the open road during the colder seasons. As long as you keep these safe driving tips for winter in mind then you will protect yourself, your passengers, and other drivers from harm.
You never stop learning to be a good motorist, there are always more skills and knowledge you could pick up. Browse our lifestyle section to find more articles on mechanics and driving.