Driving in the winter months can be a bit more complicated than driving in the spring or summer. When temperatures are warm and precipitation is scarce, conditions for driving are usually pretty good. That story changes in the winter, however, when cold temperatures are the norm and snow flies through the air regularly. Winter driving can be dangerous in poor conditions, so it is up to each driver to make good choices for everyone's safety.
In this post, we are going to look at a few basic winter driving tips. These tips might not make winter driving enjoyable, but hopefully they'll at least help you make better decisions along the way.
Slow Down
The first - and perhaps most important - winter driving tip to keep in mind is simply to slow down. When conditions are clear and temperatures moderate, you can often travel safely at the speed limit during the winter months. However, as temperatures drop and rain or snow move in, slowing down should be your first adjustment. Traveling at a slower speed provides you with more time to react to unexpected situations, such as cars around you behaving in a way that you did not anticipate.
It is important to remember that you don't need to be driving in a snowstorm to encounter dangerous conditions on the roads. For example, if overnight temperatures drop below freezing, you might find patches of black ice on the roads even if they appear to be clear. Pay attention to winter temperatures and keep your speed at a reasonable level so you can hopefully stay out of trouble.
Give Other Cars More Space
This is an important adjustment anytime you are driving in adverse conditions, no matter what time of year it may be. By increasing your following distance, giving yourself more space when merging, etc., you make things easier on yourself and those around you. Again here, as was the case when talking about driving slower, it's all about reaction time. If you keep more distance between your vehicle and others, you will be better able to avoid the kinds of accidents that are so common in bad conditions.
Begin Braking Earlier
The last thing you want to do when the roads are potentially slick or icy is to slam on your brakes to stop in a hurry. Locking up your brakes in this way could lead to a skid or slide, where the vehicle will be mostly out of your control. As you approach a stop sign or red light, begin braking earlier than normal so you can gradually slow down in a controlled manner.
Obviously, if you do need to use your brakes aggressively to avoid danger, do so. That is not the best case for winter driving - or driving anytime, for that matter - but you have to do what you have to do given the situation at hand. Hopefully, with proper management of your speed and a little bit of thinking ahead, you can avoid this type of circumstance.
Check the Forecast
In the winter, you certainly can't assume that the conditions in place for your trip out will be the same for your trip back home. Watching the weather forecast is important because it can help you learn of any storms that may be moving into the area during your travel times. What starts out as an easy drive could turn into a real problem if heavy snows are on the way. Weather forecasting is not a perfect science, of course, but arming yourself with whatever information is available is a smart move.
Equip Your Vehicle
Before venturing out in some potentially difficult weather conditions, make sure that your vehicle is ready for the journey. For starters, you want to have the right tires for the job. The tires on your car or truck are the only piece of equipment given the task of maintaining contact with the road, so they need to be well-suited to this challenge in the winter months. For those who do a lot of driving in snowy conditions, buying a set of snow-specific tires is a worthwhile investment.
In addition to tires, it's a good idea to keep up with your vehicle service and maintenance so you can feel confident when you head out that the car or truck is ready for the challenge. Even simple things like oil changes can go a long way. Also, you'll want to confirm that your battery is in good condition, since cold winter temperatures can make it harder for the battery to perform.
Stay Home
At some point, the best way to deal with winter driving conditions is going to be to simply stay home and out of the elements altogether. This might not be your preferred choice, depending on what you were supposed to be doing for the day, but taking the risk of driving in dangerous conditions just might not be worth it. When trying to make this decision, take into account all information you can access - news reports, recommendations from local government agencies, etc. You can also just look outside your window, or walk out to the road in front of your home, to get a good sense of the conditions. Don't put yourself in danger or in an uncomfortable situation when it can be avoided.
Winter driving doesn't have to be a harrowing experience. As is always the case when driving - no matter what time of year it may be - it's important to make good decisions based on the conditions you encounter on the roads. Be patient out there, play it safe when in doubt, and give other cars plenty of room. We can face some pretty nasty winter conditions in Idaho from time to time, so be smart and get home safely. If you need any service or repair on your vehicle to get it ready for winter driving, or if you need to shop for a new vehicle, please stop by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet for assistance.