Are You Ready for winter weather & winter driving?
Top 10 winter driving tips
- Start early. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. It is not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to save time.
- Make sure someone knows your travel plans. If possible, stay on main roads.
- Drive with your headlights on.
- Keep your windows free of fog and grime.
- Drive for conditions. Stopping on snow and ice without skidding requires extra time and distance. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you do not have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Do not get overconfident with four-wheel drive. Remember the posted speed limits are for dry pavement.
- Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra time to react.
- Avoid using cruise control or overdrive.
- Winter road conditions often result in longer stopping distances. Drivers should allow additional room between their vehicles and others. Trucks take longer to stop. Do not cut in front of them.
- Avoid abrupt actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing control of the vehicle.
- Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady spots. These areas have the potential of developing black ice and can make driving hazardous.
More information on our preparedness page.