Maybe you feel confident behind the wheel when big snowflakes start to fall. Maybe you don’t. Either way, these five tips will help keep you safe and alert when the conditions get wintery.
This informational campaign comes to you in partnership with the Stark County Community Action Agency.
Growing up, I loved the snow. I still loved it after I got my license and started driving, but one year some black ice put me and my car in a ditch. Now I’m a little more cautious and a little less excited when the snow starts to fall. These five tips have helped to boost my confidence behind the wheel!
- Check your tires! Make sure they’re properly inflated and have good tread. Check for any flat spots, bulges, or sharp objects stuck in the rubber.
- Keep your gas tank at half-full or more. I’m terrible about this, but you never know when you’ll be stuck in the car for a long period due to a weather-related delay. Also, if your gas level is super low, it can freeze.
- When it’s snowy or icy, increase your following distance. You’ll also need to accelerate and decelerate more gradually. Drive slowly.
- Do not power over hills or drive recklessly. Accelerating on a hill will just make your tires spin. Use inertia and drive carefully. Better yet, if the roads are really bad, stay home!
- Pack a winter emergency kit for your car. This kit should include
- An ice scraper, broom, and/or snow shovel
- Warm winter clothes for you and your passengers
- Blankets and other warm items such as scarves and mittens
- Jumper cables, cell phone car chargers, flashlights
- Reflective/warning triangles or flares
- First aid kit
- Water and non-perishable snacks
- Traction aids like sand or cat litter
If something happens or an accident occurs, stay with your vehicle. Turn on the lights or tie a brightly colored item of clothing to the radio antenna. Don’t over-exert yourself by trying to dig out- wait for help to arrive. Make sure your exhaust isn’t blocked and bundle up inside your vehicle.
Sources
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “Winter Weather Driving Tips: Prepare Your Vehicle.” [Online] Available at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/winter-driving-tips
- AAA Exchange. “Winter Driving Tips.” [Online] Available at: https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/
Audrey Mattevi, Reporting
