On Thin Ice: Winter Driving Tips That Could Save Your Life
Posted by admin at 28 November 2017, at 23 : 10 PM
Staying safe on the road this winter is something that I’m sure we all want to do. However, are we taking enough precautions to do so? After all, we cannot control the weather or the actions of our fellow road users, but we are responsible for our own. That is why we need to make the best choices possible when it comes to driving in the rain, snow, and ice. Read on for more information.
Pick the right vehicle
As successful and safe driving is a synergy of both driver and car, one of the things you need to pay attention to is your choice of vehicle. Pick some like the Hyundai Tucson which is an SUV with 4 wheel drive, making it perform well in the ice and snow. It also has great Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ratings for normal weather too, making a great all-around safety choice.
If you are looking for something that is less family orientated and a bit more sleek, then, a 6th gen 2016 Camaro is a good choice, as it also has high Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ratings. Something that can be incredibly useful if you lose control in the bad weather.
Don’t drink and drive
Even though the winter tends to be the festive party season, and no matter how much you are tempted, never drink and drive! It’s just not worth it. Do you really want to be responsible for someone getting the new over Christmas that a member of their family has been in a crash? Of course, you don’t.
Alcohol affects perceptions and reactions times, so stay away and only go for the soft drink options at parties when you are the designated driver. Alternatively, you can nominate someone else to drive so you can drink or even share a cab with other partygoers to keep the cost down and all the passengers and other road users safe.
Although, even after all that advice, if you do find yourself saying, “I got a DUI, now what?” There are some incredibly professional and talented lawyers out there that can help you. Of course, it would be better not get into that situation at all this festive season if you can possibly help it.
Adjust driving to weather
It is also vital that in the winter, you adjust the way that you drive to the weather. I know this sound pretty basic, but you wouldn’t believe how many people actually don’t do this, and just drive about in the torrential rain and snow like it was their normal commute to work.
Remember, when the weather is bad, stopping distances are long. That means you need to drive slower and leave a larger space between you and the car in front to be as safe as possible.
Do a defensive driving course
Last of all, if you are concerned about your ability to drive in bad weather, it can be useful to do a defensive driving course. These are advanced driving lessons that are completed once you have passed your initial test.
They teach you things like how to steer into a skid to retain better control on an icy or wet surface. Something that could come in very handy, and even life saving this winter on the roads.