As the winter holidays draw near, you’re probably looking forward to spending some much-needed time with your loved ones. From opening presents to enjoying every precious moment spent with family members and friends, the winter months can be a time of great joy and celebration. If you’re planning on driving long-distance to meet up with your loved ones, it’s important to remember that you may encounter some seasonal weather challenges over the course of your road trip. Cold temperatures, snow, icy roads, and unfamiliar locations increase your risk of experiencing an accident. We’ve put together a list of winter driving tips to help you enjoy safe, low-stress travels this holiday season.
1. Get Your Car Ready for Winter
Throughout the year, it’s important to stay on top of routine maintenance for your car. During the winter, however, it may be necessary to go above and beyond the usual checkups that keep your car running smoothly during the warmer months. The National Safety Council recommends taking the following actions:
- Testing your battery frequently, particularly in the days leading up to your trip. Cold weather can make your battery power drop far faster than normal.
- Check that your car’s cooling system functions as intended
- If possible, put winter tires on your vehicle. Compared to a standard car tire, winter tires have deeper and more flexible treads.
- Check your vehicle’s tire pressure frequently. Similar to how your car battery may drop faster than usual in the cold, your tire pressure drops as temperatures fall.
- Test your wiper blades to make sure that they can clear moisture effectively and replace them if needed.
- Use wiper fluid rated for cold weather, ideally -30 degrees.
- Keep your gas tank at least half-full. If condensation or water vapor get in the tank or line, they can freeze, damaging your car and its ability to function.
2. Prepare Yourself & Your Vehicle Before Departing
Before you start your long drive, you may benefit from doing a safety check to ensure that your vehicle is in good working order. To begin, clean your car’s mirrors and any external camera lenses (if your car has them), so you’ll be able to clearly see what’s happening around your vehicle. Remove any snow, ice, dirt, or debris from sensors so your vehicle’s assisted-driving features are not compromised. In especially cold weather, allow your vehicle to warm up before driving it. Do not leave your vehicle running in the garage, even with the door up. Doing so runs the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you are stuck in a winter storm, delay your departure if possible. Staying off the road during dangerous conditions is the best way to remain safe. If you must leave, be sure to share your anticipated route and travel plans with friends or family.
3. Practice Safe & Cautious Driving
Although there is no surefire way to entirely negate the risks of an accident, AAA offers the following suggestions for reducing your risk of a winter crash.
- Do not use your car’s cruise control in wintry conditions. Doing so can reduce your ability to react if you need to brake suddenly or avoid an obstacle in the road.
- If your car skids, try to steer in the direction your car is skidding. This way, when your wheels are able to re-establish traction, you will not need to overcorrect to keep your car in its lane.
- Drive a safe speed for the conditions at hand. This may require you to drive under the speed limit, depending on the weather and road conditions.
- Follow other drivers at an increased distance. AAA suggests maintaining a 10-second following distance.
- Unless absolutely necessary, do not stop your vehicle when going uphill.
- In a whiteout, pull off the road in a safe location and do not drive again until visibility improves. Unless there is an emergency in your vehicle, do not pull onto the shoulder. Other drivers may not see your vehicle and consequently run into your car.
4. Understand What Your Vehicle Is(n’t) Capable Of
Particularly if you’ve been driving your car for many years, you probably have a good sense for how it drives and what sort of roadway conditions it can easily handle. If you’re driving a new or unfamiliar vehicle, it’s a good idea to review your car’s safety built-in features.
Traction control is a standard safety feature on most new vehicles. This feature helps your car gain and maintain traction on wet, icy, or snowy surfaces. Traction control is especially useful when your vehicle is accelerating from a slow or stopped position, or when you’re going up an incline.
An anti-lock braking system (ABS) allows you to maintain control of your vehicle while braking heavily. This system is also standard on most new car models. You may notice a vibration or pulsing sensation through your vehicle when ABS is engaged – this is entirely normal.
Travel Safely & Cautiously in the Winter
We hope these safety tips help you enjoy smooth travels this holiday season. Remember to exercise due caution and be on the lookout for impaired or inexperienced drivers on the roads during the winter months. If you do find yourself involved in a traffic accident, Rodriguez & Associates recommend “document[ing] the scene as much as possible” and reaching out to a qualified attorney in your area.