Winter Weather Driving Tips

Ice, snow, sleet and cold temperatures can cause havoc on the roadways. On of the most important things to know, is to be prepared. By being properly prepared you can not only avoid many dangerous situations, but be better equipped to handle the ones you cannot avoid.

A few basic safety tips for winter weather driving. - If you don't have to drive, stay home. If you must drive, do so when you are fresh and alert. You should never warm up your vehicle in an enclosed are such as a garage and you should make certain your tires are properly inflated. Keep your gas tank at least half full. Not only will this ensure you have plenty of gas, but it also adds weight which can improve traction. Never mix radial tires with non-radial tires and attempt to avoid using your parking brake in icy conditions. Always wear your seat belt, and do not use you cruise control. If you begin to skid, steer in the direction you want to go. Most importantly, do not panic. Panic will cause you to over steer and the result will be worse than the original condition.

If driving on snow, avoid making sharp turns or accelerating or decelerating rapidly. Reduce your speed and allow approximately twice the following distance as you do on a dry road. If it can be avoided, never stop while going up hill. Also do not attempt to accelerate when going uphill, this will result in your tires spinning and you will loose momentum. When approaching an icy patch, do not apply your brakes. Take your foot off the accelerator and allow the car to pull itself across the ice. Braking can result in a skid.

If you find yourself unable to continue and there is no nearby shelter, remain in your car. Put up a signal such as a towel, rag or piece of clothing tied to the side mirror or radio antenna. Do not keep the car running, carbon monoxide is very dangerous. Let the car run for 15 minutes and get the cabin warm, then shut off the engine. Do not start it again until the cabin of the car becomes cold. Wrap up in any clothing or blankets you may have. You can also use floor mats and newspapers stuffed inside your clothing for insulation. If there is more than one person in the car, huddle together for warmth.

If you have a cell phone attempt to call for help. If weather conditions prevent you from getting a signal, do not keep trying, save the battery for when the weather clears. This is especially true if you do not have a phone charger in the car with you. Periodically you will need to check to make certain the tail pipe of the car is not clogged with snow or ice. If the exhaust pipe becomes clogged the danger from carbon monoxide poisoning becomes very high.

While it is vital to keep your core body temperature up, keep close watch on your fingers and toes as this is an area where frostbite can take hold. Keep your hands tucked in against your body and keep wiggling your toes to make certain the circulation remains good. Keep calm, listen to the radio for updates and watch your cell phone for any sign of a signal. You should also attempt to send a text message even if there is no indication of a signal. At times a text message can go through when a voice can cannot. Keep the message short and to the point. Give your location and your situation. Then relax, help will get to you.