Learning Center / How to Drive Safely on Ice and Snow
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Tips to Stay Safe When Driving in Inclement Weather
Black ice hidden under a white, slushy layer of snow is a recipe for disaster if your car isn’t properly equipped to take on harsh winter conditions. Your car can spiral out of control, putting your life and other passengers in danger. To avoid an unfortunate accident, below are some tips on how to drive smart and stay safe when driving on ice and snow.
1. Stay Home
If there are extreme winter conditions hitting your town, it’s best to stay home and off the road. If you can’t see out of your own bedroom window, chances are you won’t be able to see out of your windshield either. However, if you NEED to be somewhere important, patiently wait for better weather.
2. Have the Right Tires
Tires are a deal-breaker when deciding to drive through the ice and snow. Standard all-season tires will not be adequate enough to handle such rigorous winter conditions. They may be able to handle light winter conditions and wetness, but they are not made to handle heavy snowfall or extreme icy conditions. Choosing the right tires, such as winter tires, will drastically improve your safety while on the road. If you have the right tires for your vehicle, double check to make sure they aren’t balding and that the treads are up to par.
3. Drive Slowly
No matter what tires you have, speeding in rough winter conditions can result in an accident or a lot of close calls. Slowly accelerate and decelerate to allow you car to get the most traction when driving on snowy or icy roads. Also, don’t forget to give yourself enough time to stop at signs or red lights. If you’re accelerating to quickly, you may hit the brakes too hard and possibly skid into oncoming traffic. Your safety should be your number one priority, not how fast you get there.
4. Keep Your Distance
When driving on icy or snow-filled roads, try to resist tailgating as much as possible even if you are in a rush. When it’s snowing, there should be ample distance between you and the car in front of you more so than on a sunny day. This tip goes hand-in-hand with driving slowly. If you’re going too fast and speeding up to the car in front of you, there’s a greater possibility for you to rear end them if they were to stop short.
5. Have a Car Emergency Kit
If you are planning to travel somewhere far in the winter, pack a car emergency kit in case you encounter snow or icy road conditions. An emergency kit provides extra precaution in case your car breaks down or if you’re involved in an accident. Things to consider packing into your car emergency kit include jumper cables, flashlight, working jack, roadside flares, first-aid kit, blankets, brake fluid, gloves, ice scraper, tire inflator, AAA roadside emergency card, tools, granola bars and water. If you’re stranded somewhere on the side of the road, these items will come in handy.
Find Winter Tires on TreadHunter
Driving through ice and snow can be extremely dangerous, but following these tips will help you get through the rough winter conditions. If you’re looking for winter tires to help you get through the upcoming months, TreadHunter can help you find the best winter tires for your car. We’ll help you get the best deals and ensure your tire safety for the winter season. Sign up for your free membership today!
