10 Winter Driving Tips from a Seasoned Driver

In the US, 24% of weather-related accidents involve icy roads and snow. If your employees drive to work, show them a few winter driving tips that can help them avoid accidents.

Top Winter Driving Tips from Experienced Drivers

Whether it snows heavily or barely where you live, these winter driving tips from seasoned drivers can save your and your employees’ life:

1. Check the Exhaust System

Before getting in your car, check the exhaust for leaks. Holes can increase your chances of getting carbon monoxide poisoning, especially if your windows are down. Crack the window slightly open if you are stuck in traffic or snow and keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow as well.

2. Watch Out For Black Ice

Black ice is a thin layer of transparent ice that forms on roads during frigid temperatures. Rather than checking road conditions by driving your car over them, check your windshield. If it has a black ice build-up, the ice is on the roads as well. If you are driving during winter, slow down when you approach overpasses and bridges. These areas freeze over faster than others.

3. Make Sure You Have a Charged Cell Phone

If your car breaks down in the middle of a snowstorm, you can use your charged phone to call emergency services and your loved ones. Just don’t leave the phone in your car overnight. The batteries can freeze.

4. Talk to Fellow Drivers

Besides listening to the weather forecast, when you are parked or stuck in traffic, speak to other drivers around you. They may be better informed about road conditions than you are and may help you with safe winter driving tips.

5. Check Tire Pressure

Before driving off, make sure your tires are inflated to the proper pressure. Contrary to popular belief, underinflated tires do not provide good traction on icy roads. They will only place more pressure on your vehicle.  The last thing you want is unbalanced turns on snow and ice.

6. Check the Weather Forecast

If you check the weather forecast beforehand, you will be careful while driving during winter. It will also give you an incentive to pack emergency supplies such as a travel blanket, flashlight, etc. You can also determine when the roads are safe enough to drive on.

7. Don’t Try To Pull Ahead Of Trucks

Large vehicles such as trawlers and trucks cannot stop as quickly as smaller vehicles. Never try to pull ahead of them on icy roads. The driver may have to brake fast to avoid you, which can cause the larger vehicle to skid.

8. Accelerate Gradually

If you suspect you are driving on black ice, do not slam your foot down on the gas to speed up. Do so gradually, even if it means you will reach safe cruising speed gradually. If you speed up too fast, the wheels may lose traction and the car will go into a deadly spin.

9. Brake Slowly

Similarly, brake by taking your foot off the brake gradually. If you slam on the brakes on black ice, your car will skid uncontrollably and may even flip over.

10. Keep Some Distance Between Your Car And The Vehicle In Front Of You

Rather than keeping a three or four-second distance between your car and the one in front of you, leave eight to ten seconds. Your car will take longer to come to a full stop on icy roads.

Get Appropriate Insurance Coverage with SIA Insurance Group

Get auto insurance in Woodridge before winter comes. At SIA Insurance Group, we partner with some of the best-rated insurance carriers who create cost-efficient insurance programs for various industries. Get in touch with us for a meeting for auto insurance in Woodridge, IL.