Bad Weather Driving Tips

Being a good driver includes knowing how to drive in various road conditions, particularly bad weather. When driving in rain, snow, ice or wind there are certain precautions you need to take to ensure your safety and the safety of other road users.

Driving in the ice and snow

Driving in the ice and snow can be dangerous. Before attempting to drive in the ice and snow make sure you are prepared and aware of the changes in your driving that you need to make. Before your trip check the weather reports as they may say that road conditions will get worse. If you don't have to go out then it may be better to stay at home.

When driving make sure that you do not brake or accelerate hard. It is important that you use the pedals gently and slowly. Putting your foot down hard on the brake or gas can result in your car's tyres losing their grip. This means you could slide and potentially end up in an accident. Braking hard can cause your tyres to lock up and result in your car skidding.

Snow and ice can make the roads very hazardous. You will need to take extra precautions with your surroundings, especially other drivers. Your fellow drivers may not be driving as carefully as they should, or be inexperienced at driving on snow or ice covered roads. You will also need to slow your speed down, meaning journeys could take much longer, so plan accordingly. In addition to slowing your speed you need to increase the distance you leave between other cars. This is because in slippery road conditions you will need more time to stop; as much as 10 times. Another good reason for doing this is that other drivers may slide and you want to give yourself enough time to react and avoid an accident.

When driving around bends it is better to slow down prior to the bend without braking, than using your brake on the corner. This can reduce your chances of sliding and losing control around the bend.

Ice can be particularly tricky, as it is not always very clear whether there is ice on the road. Always be cautious when temperatures are low and their is moisture on the road. If you are driving and cannot hear sound coming from your tyres it may mean there is ice on the road. If you do skid then you should avoid hard braking, as this can make it worse by locking your tyres. You will also need to make sure you steer into the skid.

Driving in Fog

When conditions are foggy your visibility is greatly reduced, this can make driving very dangerous. It will be very difficult for you to see other drivers and pedestrians and for them to see you. While driving in the fog you will need to slow down. This is because you will have less time to react to a situation and it is more difficult to see the road ahead. Also when driving in fog you will need to dip your headlights or use your fog lights in very thick fog. If you have your fog lights turned on and the fog clears make sure you change your lights back to normal in order to avoid dazzling other drivers.

Driving in Rain

When driving in the rain you will need to take some of the same precautions as for snow. Your stopping distance can double so it is important to increase the distance between your car and other cars. Rain can also impair your visibility, especially on the highway when there is a lot of spray from cars in front of you. The best thing to do is slow down and keep your distance. One particular hazard that comes with driving in the rain is aquaplaning. This happens when there is water on the road and you pass over it, causing your tyres to no longer have grip on the road. Aquaplaning can result in you losing control of your car. When you aquaplane remove your foot from the gas and avoid braking as this can make the situation worse. It is also important to avoid any sudden steering movements.

Driving in wind

Driving in wind can be a difficult and sometimes even a frightening experience. High wind can blow your car and force you to have a strong steady grip on the wheel. When driving in high wind be careful of vehicles with high sides, such as tractor trailers and buses. These vehicles are more susceptible to gusts of wind and are more likely to be blown off course. When conditions are windy slow down your speed, especially in sections of the road that are not protected, as gust here will get more intense.

We weather conditions are such that it is making road conditions dangerous always think twice about going out. Make sure you have the appropriate tyres on your car, such as, snow tyres. It is a good idea to have an emergency kit in your that includes something warm in case you breakdown.