Photo credit: Image by Grace Olsson via Flickr

Article by Lauren Cascio

These nine, no-fail driving tips will help you as you take on the dangers of ice, snow and unexpected obstacles during the winter months.

1. Clear loose snow- even on top of the car!

When loose snow flies from the top of moving cars, it makes driving extremely dangerous for everyone on the road. Loose snow on your car’s hood can fly up and block your windshield at high speeds. To be safer this winter, take caution and clear all snow.

2. Avoid sudden braking

When possible, try to avoid braking at all. When driving on snow or ice, it is safer to allow your car to roll to a stop than to apply significant pressure to the brakes. Another way to avoid sudden braking is to remain aware of your surroundings and anticipate stopping situations before the last second.

3. Clear ice and snow from your headlights

Having snow and ice on your headlights can dull the light illuminating from them. Clearing your headlights will make sure that every obstacle is spotted soon enough to make a safe and controlled stop.

4. Stay aware!

It is always a good tip to avoid using devices such as your car’s CD player, your phone or other entertainment items while driving. In the winter, being aware is more important because stopping distances are much shorter on ice and snow.

5. Scrape your windows- all of them!

In the early morning rush, important things like clearing your windshield can be completely forgotten. Lack of time can make it tempting to only clear a small hole directly in front of the steering wheel. While a little scraping is better than no scraping at all, this is still a bad idea because peripheral vision is extremely limited and can lead to exceedingly dangerous conditions.

6. Know your brakes!

If your car does not have anti-lock breaks, knowing what to do can make your winter driving much safer. Applying a light, steady pressure is the best way to stop in snowy or icy conditions without an anti-lock braking system. Applying strong, sudden pressure can cause a brake lock-up and result in a skid.

7. Warm up your vehicle- but never in the garage!

Warming up your vehicle is a good idea, as it gets the engine warm before driving and the heat begins to circulate around the car to make the driving experience better. However, car exhaust contains carbon monoxide, a clear, odorless gas that can cause death if inhaled. When cars are on in enclosed spaces, the carbon monoxide can build up, displace the oxygen in the air and have fatal consequences.

8. Top off the gas!

Keeping your gas tank full at all times is always a good idea. An uncontrolled skid could cause an accident and result in being stranded for a long period of time. Another reason to top off the tank is to prevent gas line freeze up. Most gas is watered down and the water in it can freeze in sub-zero temperatures. If expecting a deep freeze, make sure that the tank at least a quarter-full to prevent the water from freezing in your tank.

9. Keep your distance!

AAA, a national traveling and roadside assistance agency, recommends that drivers in icy conditions opt for a traveling distance of at least 8-10 seconds, instead of the normal 3-4 seconds. More distance allows for more reaction time and can make everyone safer this winter!

What tips/tricks did we miss? Let us know in the comments below!

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