Did you know that according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 90 drivers are killed in motor vehicle accidents every day. And, with inclement winter weather making driving conditions more hazardous, that number could worsen. For that reason, be sure to follow these tips whenever you drive this winter:
Visit a Mechanic: The cold can have an adverse effect on your vehicle. Take your vehicle to an auto repair shop to have the battery, tire treads, coolant hoses and wiper blades inspected. Driving with balled tires on a slick road is just an accident waiting to happen.
Create a winter emergency kit: In case you get stranded due to a storm or accident. Make sure you have those necessary items with you. Many times you can just buy a ready to go kit or you can make one yourself. Here’s important items to include:
• Flashlights/Flares/Spare Batteries
• Water/Snacks
• A Blanket/Hand Warmer Packets/Spare Gloves
• A Shovel/An Ice Scraper
• Jumper cables (these you should always carry in your trunk)
Plan ahead: Nowadays this process doesn’t take long since you can easily log on to an app to check the weather and the road conditions. Depending on where you live the weather can change very quickly.
Clean up: Before you get behind the wheel, be sure to clean off any snow or ice that may have accumulated on your vehicle—especially on the headlights and taillights as well as the side mirrors.
Drive smart: The speed limits in place are for normal driving conditions. Remember to keep speeds lower than normal and to watch for those that are not adjusting to the conditions of the roads. We all know many people choose to speed and swerve in and out of traffic even when it’s wet or snowy outside.
Remember if your windshield wipers are on then your headlights should be on as well, even during the day. By following these tips, you should be prepared for driving in any winter weather conditions