7 Suggestions for Driving in Snowy and Icy Conditions – Safety

Editor’s Note: This content was originally published in January 2021. It has been reviewed and updated for continued relevance.

In response to the AAA, greater than 2,000 road deaths occur every year attributable to bad weather and winter storms.

Winter is peak season, so now could be the time for fleet operators to remind drivers of some scary statistics to maintain safety top of mind throughout the most frigid months.

Roughly 70% of the US population lives in places with snowy and icy conditions throughout the winter. 

Listed here are some hard, cold facts your drivers should know: Driving on snowy roads can take your automotive 10 times longer to stop completely, in accordance with AAA. Furthermore, The Weather Channel notes that slushy or snowy pavement causes a 30% to 40% speed reduction on major roads.

Of particular note, about 17% of car crashes occur in snowy conditions, in accordance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. What’s more, 70% of roads in the US are in snowy areas, which increases the specter of an accident significantly. 

As the times grow shorter and the weather turns cooler, listed here are seven suggestions offered by Zutobi, a driver education company, about how one can stay protected when behind the wheel within the winter months.

Prepare Your Vehicle

You should definitely have your vehicle serviced and your tires checked. A protected tread depth is critical for winter weather driving. Be certain that your fluids are topped off. It’s safer to have at the least half a tank of fuel and be certain your windshield fluid is at all times full. Road salt tends to extend your need to scrub your windshield throughout the winter.

Remember the Basics

Don’t forget to buckle up and be certain that you’re in a physical and mental state that’s protected for driving. Being fatigued or distracted will put you in a dangerous condition on the roadway and getting your job done.

Watch Your Speed & Increase Following Distance

Slowing down is critical in winter driving conditions. Be cautious to avoid hitting other cars or stationary items by reducing your speed. One other approach to be safer is to extend the space between you and the vehicle in front. As a substitute of the standard 3-second following distance, consider 5 seconds in winter driving conditions. This may allow you more time to stop should something unexpected occur. For instance, in icy conditions, the stopping distance could be as much as 10 times longer in comparison with when driving on a dry road, so you would like that extra safety margin to remain protected. We may additionally consider reducing your speed by half if driving on packed snow. 

Keep Low Beams On

Using your headlights isn’t only about allowing you to see higher, but it would also make it easier to be seen by others. Especially throughout the winter, any extra visibility is usually a safety precaution. Nevertheless, keep in mind that high beam headlights aren’t necessarily higher than low beams. In bad weather conditions, high beams can actually make you see less as an alternative of more. 

Clear All Windows

You should definitely leave enough time to clear all of your windows of snow and ice, and to defrost them before you get on the road. It could actually be tempting to only chip away enough so you’ll be able to barely see and hope that the heat of the automotive will handle the remaining throughout the trip. Nevertheless, clear visibility is basically necessary to remain protected in winter weather. Snow can even fly off your vehicle and create a road hazard for drivers behind you. 

Don’t Slam the Brakes

If you happen to occur to lose control of your vehicle on an icy road, it will possibly be hard to know what to do quickly enough. Crucial thing is to take your foot off the gas pedal, so your vehicle slows. It could actually be difficult to regain control because you regularly instinctively need to do the mistaken things, like slam in your brakes and counter-steer. In case your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, that may make it easier to avoid skidding. Regular brakes may should be pumped to maintain them from locking.

Be extra cautious around curves and shaded areas.

Curves and shaded areas are known to cover spots of ice, making them very dangerous during winter, especially on wet and cold days. These areas are likely to freeze first, hide spots of ice, and remain frozen the longest.