Winter is an exciting season that brings out the child within us all. You can play snowball, make a snow fort, or go skating.
Although winter brings seasonal cheer, driving in the snow can pose some challenges. The right guidelines will help you learn to drive in the snow. These are safety precautions to help you get safely and smoothly to your destination.
Before You Start
Look at the route on, Google Maps. You can also monitor local weather reports to see if there are any delays. You should stick to the main roads because state removal crews could likely prep and clear the highways long before the snow starts.
Make sure to remove snow and ice from all surfaces, including windows and mirrors.
Fill the windshield wiper reservoir with washer fluid, which is specially formulated for cold winter temperatures. This will keep the liquid from freezing on the windshield. These products should be identified as such. It’ll also be helpful to clean and defrost inside the windshield.
Check your wiper blades for damage and make sure they’re in great condition.
For any possible roadside breakdowns, be sure to have an emergency kit.
You can drive once you are comfortable and have the right shoes.
While Driving
Learn how to drive in the snow by following this golden rule. Handling all controls on your car, such as changing gears or brakes, steering wheel, throttle, and throttle, should be done gently and carefully.
You should maintain a safe following distance between your car and the vehicle in front. This will give you enough time to stop and turn. To maintain a steady speed, and to avoid shifting gears or acceleration, there must be enough space between your car and the vehicle in front.
Make sure to use your daytime running lamps, especially in poor conditions, so that other drivers can see what you are doing.
If you are moving towards a curve, brake slowly and then turn the steering wheel. Do not panic if your tires lose grip. Just release the accelerator pressure, and your tires will point in the direction that you intend to drive.
If you’re driving along ungritted roads, it’s best to drive on snow. You should not drive on the tracks of other cars as the compressed snow may be icier.
No matter how careful or safe you drive, other drivers can be controlled. Keep alert and be defensive.
Common Problems in Driving in the Snow
Fishtailing
Fishtailing can be described as a skid that happens when the back wheels lose grip and slide on the road. It can lead to oversteering, spinning out, and other problems.
These are some corrective actions to follow if fishtailing is started:
Begin to drive slowly in the direction of your skid.
To reduce speed, you can remove your foot off the brake pedal.
Black Ice
Black ice is an ice layer that glazes a substrate. Although it is not black, the slick ice layer allows highway blacktops to be seen through. These tips can help you safely navigate when driving on black ice.
You can drive slowly, and change to a low-gear gear for more control.
Areas that provide more traction are best. These areas provide traction and include areas that are covered in snow, sandy areas, as well as textured ice.
Be sure to keep your car at a safe distance from other vehicles
With cruise control active, do not drive in dangerous icy situations.
Salt on the Road
Salt can, in theory, remove snow from highways. However, the salt’s corrosive qualities can cause serious damage to your undercarriage. Extreme rust can lead to damage to the undercarriage, which could eventually result in a crash.
You can prevent salt buildup by cleaning your car’s exterior regularly.
This is it! These tips can help to keep passengers and other drivers safe when driving in snow. If the weather is hazardous, you can stay at home and avoid driving.
Snowy Road Safety with Top Driver
LTrent Driving School is the top driving school. Our mission is to prepare you for every situation on the winter roads.
We provide 20 hour driving course in-vehicle training, classes, and a blog that shares best practices for safety on the roads every year. Safer Drivers Course can help you find teen programs that are suitable for adult drivers and remedial classes.
We are also committed to providing safe learning environments for our students by offering remote classroom education options and implementing a corona virus vessel sanitization process.