How to Prepare for Winter Driving

Winter Driving is a Challenge

Driving in winter weather is a challenge for most drivers. With slippery roads and reduced visibility, accidents are more likely to happen. You should learn the following simple winter driving tips to be safe on the road.

Check Your Vehicle

Before getting out on the roads, you must ensure your vehicle is in good technical condition. Check tires and brakes. Your heating system and windshield wipers must work. Make sure that headlights, signal lamps, and windscreens are clean.

Fill up the fuel tank or charge the batteries before you leave on a trip. If you get stuck in snow or traffic, you may run out of power sooner than expected.

Get an Emergency Kit

You should always carry an emergency kit in areas that receive heavy snowfall. The kit should include non-perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, warm clothes, a blanket, a cell phone charger, an ice scraper, booster cables, and a small snow shovel.

Consider adding personal items such as baby supplies, extra medication, pet supplies, or even children’s games.

Prepare Your Trip

Check weather forecasts and traffic alerts. Avoid driving in blizzards, heavy snowfall, or when black ice covers the roads.

Clear snow or ice from all windows and lights so you can see and be seen.

In a cold vehicle, moisture may condense inside the windows. Warm up your car before driving off.

Adjust Your Driving

When driving on snow or ice, you must go slower than usual. The traction of your tires on the road will be significantly reduced, seriously affecting your steering and braking ability. When driving, gently test your brakes to get a feel for the road.

Keep a safe following distance to any vehicle ahead. Your stopping distance on a slippery road can be more than double compared to a dry road. Start slowing down well ahead of a turn or stop. Do not brake hard or make sharp turns.

Speeding or making careless lane changes are especially dangerous on winter roads.

Tires

Your all-season radial tires may be sufficient in areas where you can expect only light snowfall. In areas with heavy snowfall, you must use snow tires or chains.

Check the rules in your state to know when and if using tire chains is legal.

Learn More

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