The snow is a beautiful and peaceful sight to see when you wake up in the morning. The issues that you face won’t likely show up until it is time for you to get out and drive.
Winter driving takes skill, practice, thought, and patience. When roads are snow-packed or icy, drivers simply cannot drive like they do when roads are clear.
Even if there isn’t snow on the roads, you should be prepared to deal with slick conditions due to black ice, especially if it is cold and there’s been precipitation. The last thing you need is to be involved in a wintry road condition crash. Being prepared to drive on these road conditions might help you to avoid an accident. Here are tips to get you started:
Take your time
Trying to rush is a sure recipe for disaster. Plan on leaving home a little early just in case the roads are worse than you thought they would be. Many people think that they can drive normally in the snowy and icy conditions if they have four wheel drive on their vehicle. This is a huge misconception that can lead to crashes, so don’t fall for this.
Even though four wheel drive does help to improve traction, you must still use caution. One reason for this is that the four wheel drive doesn’t impact your ability to stop. It also isn’t going to have much of an impact on your ability to steer on ice.
Have the right equipment
You need to ensure that your tires are ready for driving on snow and ice. A general rule of thumb is that you need at least 6/32 inch tread depth in order for your vehicle to have good traction on snow and ice. Some people even opt to change their tires over to winter or snow tires instead of relying on all season or touring tires during the winter months.
On top of the tires, you need to check your windshield wipers and fluid. You should have a fluid with a de-icer so you can clear your windshield without having to worry about ice building up on it while you are trying to get road grime off. Your wipers need to be in good shape so the window will be as clear and streak-free as possible.
Other drivers might not have the same views about safety. When they don’t drive in a safe manner, you might end up being the one to pay the price if you are struck. In this case, you may need medical care. Once that is taken care of, you can evaluate the financial impact and take legal action to recover what is usually a significant about of money in the aftermath of an auto accident.