When the cold weather sets in, you can expect that the roads will be covered with snow and ice. A snow-covered road becomes slick and slippery. This will make driving more dangerous than it already is. There’s a possibility that your vehicle will lose traction or slide out of control. That’s why your risk of being in an accident increases in the winter season.
Being a responsible driver will keep you out of harm’s way. Follow these simple winter-driving rules to improve your chances of arriving at your destination safely and sound even while driving on snow or ice.
Accelerate and Decelerate Slowly
It’s a lot easier to stop when you’re driving at low speeds. Speeding on a snowy, slippery road can lead to diminished tire traction and a higher risk of skids. We recommend that you reduce your speed by half and always keep your pace in check. As much as possible, avoid pressing on the accelerator pedal with full throttle. Doing so will cause the vehicles to spin out of control. Just apply gentle pressure to the gas pedal and decelerate gradually.
As a rule of thumb, you should leave a good following distance of at least five to six seconds. This is the best way to ensure you’ll have enough time to stop or react properly.
Minimize Distractions
Distracted driving is one of the main causes of crashes. Keep in mind that anything that takes your attention away from driving can be a disturbance—which is texting, eating, and using the GPS. For some drivers, these distractions are difficult to tune out.
Whether it’s snowing or out, you should stay alert and focus your attention more. The risk of a car crash increases when you navigate a snow-covered road.
Change Your Wiper Blades
Your windshield wipers are essential for your safety on the road. They help improve your visibility, especially during adverse weather conditions. If your wiper blades are worn or streaky, it’s time to replace them. There are windshield wiper blades that are specifically designed for winter. Its blades are wrapped in robust, high-grade rubber that clears away snow and ice. Using winter wiper blades will give you exceptional visibility in severe weather conditions.
Do Not Stop at Hills
Going uphill in winter weather conditions is very difficult. Going too fast up a snow-covered hill will surely make your wheels spin. Aside from this, stopping on a hill will cause the tires to lose traction until your vehicle slides backward. When going up a steep hill, accelerate and then maintain a constant speed. Try to have enough inertia while going uphill, so you don’t have to hit the brakes at the top. Once you’ve reached the hill, reduce your speed and drive downhill slowly.
Install Snow Chains on Your Tires
Snow chains help increase traction when traveling on icy roads. Installing these devices will make your journey easier and safer. Before the snow comes down, you may wrap the chains around the tires of your car. This will provide the best possible traction and balance when driving on snow or ice.
Make sure to keep your tires properly inflated before installing the chains. It may damage your tires if they’re not installed improperly, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Use Your Anti-Lock Brakes
Anti-lock brake systems (ABS) detect when you get into a skid or lose control of the vehicle. It works by optimizing the car’s braking in extreme wintry conditions. In a panic-stop situation, the ABS pumps the brakes automatically as you keep the brake pedal depressed. This way, you will be able to apply the brakes and prevent the wheels from locking up.
Whether your vehicle has ABS or not, remember to drive safely before navigating snowy and icy roadways.
Towing Services Available During Winter
Vehicle breakdowns like a dead battery and cold engine are common occurrences during winter. If you’re encountering a winter car problem, Allentown Towing Company is here to get you out of any sticky situation.
We are your reliable towing partner when it comes to winter towing and roadside assistance. Our goal is to help you regardless of your situation. We offer jumpstarts, fuel delivery, lockouts, and winch outs. When in need of a tow, give us a call. We’ll get you back on track whenever and wherever needed.