Hobbsr: 3 Ways to Prepare for Winter Driving

Friday, November 13, 2015

3 Ways to Prepare for Winter Driving

Those of us lucky enough to live in places without nasty winter weather know well enough not to gloat about that fact. But beyond avoiding sleet, snow, and icy slush everywhere, the best part about avoiding the worst of winter weather is avoiding the worst of winter drivers.

Don't be that worst winter driver. Make sure your vehicle is packed with safety necessities before you leave the house and use some good winter driving habits to avoid accidents this holiday season.

Hope for the Best

Part of being a safe winter driver is practicing some good winter driving habits. Travelling at or below the speed limit and pumping the brakes to avoid locking them up can help keep your car under control. And scraping front and rear lights (not just your windshield) can help keep your car visible. You should also replace and worn tires or wiper blades before heading out on the road.

The other part of being safe on winter roads is avoiding bad winter driving habits. Obviously speeding or driving under the influence can get you into trouble. But following cars too closely can lead to accidents. Driving without chains or snow tires when they're warranted will lead to fender benders as well. And be extra careful around road construction and snow removal crews.

Prepare for the Worst

Make sure you have the proper safety supplies packed in your car for winter driving. Check your spare tire to make sure it's functional, should you need it, and an extra set of jumper cables can't hurt.

Snow chains are a must for driving in mountainous terrain. An extra ice scraper, phone charger, and head lamp can also come in handy. You may want to have a winter kit with blankets, food provisions, and flares in case you get stranded.

3. Know Who to Call

If you get caught in some bad winter weather and get into an accident, you may want to contact an experienced personal injury attorney.

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