Essential Tips for Safe Winter Driving – Avoid Car Accidents

As winter covers the roads in a white layer of snow or a black layer of ice, driving becomes a little bit more challenging.

Icy roads, reduced visibility and unpredictable weather conditions demand extra attention when you get behind the wheel. To ensure a safe winter driving experience, and to help you avoid accidents, we have put together some tips.

Prepare Your Vehicle

Here are some of the ways you can prepare your vehicle for winter driving.

• Winter Tires: Invest in a set of quality winter tires with deep treads to increase your vehicle’s traction on slippery surfaces, helping avoid car accidents.
• Fluid Check: Ensure that your vehicle’s fluids, including oil, antifreeze and windshield washer fluid, are at the recommended levels.
• Battery Inspection: Cold weather can quickly drain car batteries. Ensure yours is in good condition to avoid any unexpected flats.
• Brake Maintenance: Ensure your brakes are in good condition. Stopping in slippery conditions requires a lot more brake power.

Slow Down and Stay Back

One of the most essential tips for avoiding car accidents is to slow down and stay back. When the roads are covered with snow or ice this is so important. Your stopping distance will be much longer if the road surface is slippy, so make sure you leave a bigger gap between you and the car in front. And always watch your speed.

Beware of Black Ice

Black ice is hard to spot, but a menace should you encounter it. Be especially careful when driving over bridges as these tend to freeze before other road surfaces. Also, pay attention to shaded areas where the sun doesn’t reach. These zones are more likely to have lingering patches of black ice that could cause a car accident.

Let There Be Light

To help avoid car accidents in winter, keep your headlights on, even during the day. This will improve your visibility which can help protect you, other drivers and pedestrians. Also, make sure you use fog lights properly. If your vehicle has fog lights, use these in foggy or snowy conditions to make yourself seen without causing glare.

Take Care Of Yourself

By being mindful of weather conditions and taking extra care on the roads, you can help prevent car accidents.

If, however, you are involved in a winter-weather-related collision, just get in touch with Pearl Assistance. We can help you get back on the road.