Winter is here, the leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and the holiday season is coming. This is a time of celebration and excitement, but it’s also a time when driving becomes a little more treacherous. Look through the top ten safety tips for drivers and remember that you can make these changes today before the snow falls or ice accumulates.
Our Top 10 Safety Tips for Driving in Winter
Driving in winter is challenging, even for lifelong residents of Ohio. You have to take driving seriously in the wintertime as the roads change, snow and freezing rain fall, and visibility drops.
But, if you follow these 10 safety tips for winter driving, you can build a safety plan for each drive (or determine when it’s time to stay home and off the road.)
- Check the weather before departing.
- Dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
- Check the road conditions before getting in the car.
- Slow down and drive below posted speed limits.
- Use caution and feel free to pull over as needed.
- Keep the car moving if the road is clear.
- Avoid distractions within the car.
- Watch out for pedestrians.
- Turn into skids to regain control of your vehicle.
- Never drive into snowbanks or piles.
Defensive Driving for the Winter Months
Now that you’re prepared for the road and maintaining control of your vehicle, there are a few more things to consider. How can you drive defensively in bad weather? Snow and ice plague Ohio roads throughout the winter, and even though plowing and salt trucks are out in full force, there are a few things you can do to drive defensively when it’s bitterly cold:
- Always use your turn signals when changing lanes or turning.
- Avoid using cruise control.
- Always keep your headlights on.
- Keep your windshield washer fluid tank full, antifreeze full, and wipers in good condition.
- Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure.
Now that your visibility has improved, you can drive defensively in the winter by:
- Never engaging with other drivers.
- Never tailgating.
- Changing lanes to avoid wild motorists.
- Exiting the highway or turning off the road to avoid dangerous drivers.
- Contacting the local authorities to report wild or dangerous drivers.
This may sound like a lot of work just for a short drive, but you’re always better off taking safety precautions and being prepared for bad situations.
Winter Driving Tips for Families with Children
When you have kids in the car, you must be extra diligent when you get on the wintry roads of rural Ohio. Use these tips to prepare for driving with the kids:
- Make sure the kids are occupied before you start the car.
- Never settle disputes while the car is in gear.
- Never reach behind you while driving.
- Pull over if you absolutely must discipline a child.
- Make sure everyone buckles their seatbelt.
- Keep the volume down on music or movies.
Reach Out to Buren Insurance Group for More Information on Auto Insurance and Winter Driving Safety
Contact our team at Buren Insurance Group at any time if you need help with winter driving safety or auto insurance. Our team recommends that you check your battery’s charge, warm up the car before setting off, keep your tank at least half full, and clean salt or dunk off the car as much as you can. With these tips, you can stay safe on the road and enjoy this beautiful time of year.