#drivingonice

It’s no surprise that winter driving presents more hazards than any other season. The absolute best way to stay safe is to stay off the roads as much as possible. You obviously have to drive to work, but maybe you can have a nice movie night by the fire rather than going out to a crowded theater. When you do have to drive, try to stay on streets that have been treated by snow plows and sand trucks. The inconvenience of taking the long way still beats the inconvenience of getting into a car wreck. You can also follow these tips to stay safe on icy roads:

Get your car winter ready: Have a mechanic inspect your car before winter hits hard. The harsh winter cold can rapidly deteriorate any issues, so have them fixed right away. Your tire tread should be at least 6/32-inch deep for traction in the snow. Your rear tires should have the same amount of tread as your front tires. If you live in an area where it snows regularly, you may want to buy snow tires, in which case, you should change all four.

Enhance your visibility: Your ability to see greatly affects your safety on the road. Replace your windshield wiper blades and refill your wiper fluid with an anti-icing fluid. Clean the inside of your windows, your mirrors and your lights. Always drive with your headlights on so other drivers can see you more easily, especially on grey, snowy days.

Watch for icy spots: Bridges and overpasses tend to ice over before the roads, due to the cold air both above and below. Avoid areas that are known to be icy whenever possible. Following the weather report may alert you to such conditions.

Slow down: High speeds increase your chances of losing control in winter conditions. Driving 40 mph or less can keep your car more steady and improve your reaction time. Even if you have experience driving in snow and ice, a fishtail that occurs at high speeds is often unrecoverable by any driver. Stay safe by leaving extra space between you and the car ahead of you. Snow can increase the amount of time it takes for you to come to a full stop and the extra space will leave you plenty of room to safely stop in such conditions.

Learn how to handle slides: If your car begins sliding over ice, turn your wheels in the direction that the rear of your car is sliding. Remember to turn the wheel slowly and gently; overcorrecting can be just as big of a problem as the initial slide.