Welcome to part 2 of our winter driving tips blog! Now that you’ve successfully prepared your car for harsh weather conditions, it’s time to hit the road. Here are some key winter driving tips to keep you and everyone safe.
We’ve all seen it before: a rogue driver speeding senselessly down the icy freeway, darting between cars and unsettling conscientious drivers. Don’t be that person. When the roads are slick, you need to be more careful when driving. Not just for your sake, but for everyone else’s as well. Use the winter driving tips below to be a safe and smart driver this winter.
Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Don’t speed! Your traction is significantly lower on slick surfaces, so it’s important to take this into account when driving. Slow down to avoid spinning or slipping off the road, or crashing into the car ahead of you.
Acceleration and Deceleration
Just like the above tip, accelerate and decelerate slower than you normally would. It takes longer to stop on icy roads, so be sure to take that into account. Step on the gas slowly when starting up again for the best possible traction.
Driving Up a Hill
If you find yourself staring up a hill, don’t panic. Here’s some winter driving tips to ensure you reach the top safely.
Don’t stomp on the gas pedal on your way up the hill. This can cause your tires to spin on the slick surface. Instead, try gaining some inertia before you reach the hill, and coast upwards using that. As you get closer to the top, reduce your speed and continue slowly downwards.
Try not to stop in the middle of the hill. It can be difficult for your car to reach the top if you are stopping and starting on icy roads.
Be Aware of Your Following Distance
During idyllic weather conditions, a three second following distance is the recommended amount. If you find yourself venturing out in non-ideal weather, increase this distance by double (six seconds). This will give you more time to stop quickly in case of an abrupt traffic back-up.
Tell People Where You’re Going
Here’s an important winter driving tip — let people know where you’re going beforehand, and give an estimated time of arrival. This ensures that someone will know where to find you in case of emergency, and can check up on you if you’re unexpectedly late.
Keeping your car up to speed isn’t just important during the winter months; it’s a year long job. Check out our article on how regular car maintenance can save your life here!
Choose Excursions Carefully
While most of us have busy lives and places to go, it can be a good idea to take it easy during the winter months. Choose where and when you go to places carefully, and plan out your trips extensively so you don’t have to run back to the grocery store twice.
It is also important to consider what time of day you choose to venture out into the world.
If you know you already don’t see as well driving in snowy or rainy conditions, consider avoiding driving at night, as your visibility will be affected even more.
Does driving in the dark stress you out? Check out our article on safety tips for driving at night for more important information.
Limit Driver-Passenger Chatter
While it’s easy to chat the day away in the car with someone, consider remaining quieter when driving in extreme weather. It is much harder to focus on the road and the cars around you if you’re 20 minutes into an absolutely hilarious work story.
Studies have shown that multitasking (in this case, talking and driving) isn’t actually real. In other words, it’s impossible to focus on both the story you’re telling and the road. And when it comes to driving, focusing on the task at hand is what’s most important.
Keep your Music Low
Just like car time chatter can hinder your concentration, so can loud music. Keep your radio at a reasonable volume so you can stay focused, and hear any potential commotions going on around you.
Thanks for reading! We at VIP European Auto wish you a safe winter driving season, and are here for any of your interior detailing needs! Give us a call at 480-448-1183 or visit our website here!
