Driving during the winter months is undoubtedly more complex than at any other time of year. There’s the slipping risk posed by mud, leaves, and ice to contend with; visibility can be difficult to come by when mist and fog descend, and the short days mean that much of your time spent behind the wheel will be shrouded in darkness.
Due to all of the above, driving in the winter can feel hazardous, as if you are moments away from an accident that requires a medical check-up and a visit to a personal injury lawyer to resolve. The good news, however, is that there are a few things you can do to enhance your safety on the roads this year, starting with…
#1 – Go as slowly as the conditions demand
It’s a simple tip, but arguably the most important when it comes to staying safe on the road over winter: go slowly – especially if you have reason to believe the road surface may be slippery. Take your time with every maneuver; not only does doing so reduce the chances of issues such as skidding, but going slowly also means you’ll have more time to recover from the situation if your vehicle does happen to skid.
#2 – Keep cruise control switched off
As handy as cruise control can be, when it comes to driving in the winter, it’s best to avoid using this function. If you do skid while driving with cruise control on, there’s a strong chance that the cruise control will interpret the loss of traction as a sign that it needs to increase the speed – which will obviously worsen the situation considerably. It’s also generally advisable to maintain as much control of your vehicle as possible when road conditions are difficult, so cruise control – and similar systems – should be left unused until spring.
#3 – Change the way you brake
Braking can cause skids, so try to avoid it wherever possible. If you’re approaching a traffic light or other reason you might need to stop, take your foot off the gas and let the car slow itself. If you do need to brake, then do so very slowly, using firm, consistent pressure to bring the car to a halt gradually and gently.
#4 – Give more space to the vehicle in front
Maintaining a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front is always important while driving in any case, but all the more so during winter. While stationary (for example, when waiting at a traffic light), you should always be able to see the road surface and the back tires of any vehicle you are behind. When in motion, try to maintain a greater distance between yourself and the one in front than you usually would under normal conditions – the larger the gap, the better.
#5 – If in doubt, don’t drive
Finally, it’s important to note that sometimes, driving will never be safe – even with the best-equipped car and all the safety tips in the world, winter driving can still be hazardous. As a result, our last winter driving tip is to not drive if the conditions are particularly concerning. Sometimes, the safest thing you can do is stay home and wait out the worst of the weather.
We hope you find the above tips useful when driving during the winter months to come.
