5 Winter Driving Tips from the Experts

Winter driving is more hazardous than at any other time of the year. Adverse weather, car troubles, and the stupidity of other people are just a few things you have to contend with. So, from increasing visibility to swapping your tires, here are some tips from diving experts.

Maintain a Healthy Distance

Your vehicle’s stopping distance is increased by a lot when driving conditions are bad. A slippery road causes the tire grip to decline by quite a lot. Because of this, a typical 2-second stopping gap can increase up to 10 seconds. It might be handy to have a collision repair specialist stored on your phone. But if you are lucky, this is all you will need. A winter weather driving accident can become far worse if you are trapped inside or fall down an embankment.

Increase Vehicle Visibility

It is actually illegal to drive with poor visibility from inside and outside the car. You must be able to see outside clearly to view traffic and the road. And other drivers must be able to clearly see you. There are a few things you can do. Give your headlights a clean and ensure they are working. It also helps to remove snow and ice from your car so you don’t whiteout. Clear your license plates to avoid fines from police, but also use their reflective properties as well.

Swap Out Your Tires for Winter Driving

For the most part, your standard tires will do the job well when driving in winter. However, this depends on whether they are in good condition and how well you drive. As an extra precaution, invest in your car tires for winter or snow tires. These really do make a difference and work extremely well on four-wheel-drive vehicles. However, they still work better than standard tires on standard cars as well. It would be a good idea to use these for longer trips than usual.

Be Aware of Black Ice

Many people assume that black ice is frozen oil, which is why it is very slippery. This makes sense. But that’s not what black ice is. Black ice is a thin layer of ice that is completely transparent, so you see the black of the road underneath. It also settles in a way that makes it more slippery. Because of this, over 70,000 people per year are injured due to black ice. Drive very carefully across bridges and in tunnels, and it is more common on quieter roadways.

Know What to Do in an Emergency

A car accident is a nightmare at the best of times. But in winter, there are added dangers that make it exponentially worse. The bad weather and cold can make it much harder to stay alive or well when you need to wait for emergency services. If something does happen, always stay with your car. You can also make your car more visible with flares, markers, and breakdown siren lights. If you need to run the car to stay, don’t do it much to avoid carbon monoxide issues.

Summary

Keeping a healthy distance when winter driving will help avoid many of the most common issues, such as a collision. You should also be aware of how to spot black ice and where it is most likely to form. Have emergency procedures in place just in case the worst should happen.