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How to Drive in Snow and Ice: Winter Driving Safety Tips
5 minute read • Last update August 2024
Winter in Texas can bring unexpected challenges on the road, making it crucial to prioritize safety behind the wheel.
Join us as we dive deep into winter driving safety. We’ll cover risk factors like rain, ice, and reduced visibility, discuss how to prepare your vehicle, and provide tips to help keep you out of danger.
10 winter driving safety tips for the road
While many recommendations are common sense, there are some additional factors you may not have yet considered. Follow this comprehensive list of winter driving tips to ensure optimum safety.
1. Have a plan
Stay informed about conditions and plan your route, factoring in weather forecasts and potential hazards. If you expect to encounter ice or snow-covered roads, consider delaying or finding an alternative route. If you must travel, inform someone of your plans and expected arrival time.
2. Clear all ice and snow from the car
Thoroughly remove all ice and snow from your vehicle before hitting the road. Pay particular attention to your windows, lights, indicators, mirrors, and license plate, and don’t forget to clear the roof to prevent ice from dislodging while driving. One of the best winter driving tips for maximum time savings is to park your vehicle facing east in the evening so the morning sun aids with melting.
3. Drive slowly
Of all our safe driving tips for winter, this recommendation is the most likely to save lives. Speed limits are based on normal road conditions, not winter storms. The simple adjustment of reducing your speed allows for better control and reaction time, minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries to yourself and other road users.
4. Avoid sudden stops
Navigating icy or snow-covered roads requires a delicate approach. Sudden stops result in skidding, quickly escalating to loss of control and potential collisions. Try to anticipate stops in advance. If you foresee the need to slow down or halt, begin braking early using gentle pressure. Additionally, you can use engine braking instead to maintain traction with the road surface.
5. Keep a safe distance
Maintaining a safe following distance is essential in bad weather to maximize your reaction time and brake safely to avoid rear-end collisions. The Texas Department of Transportation recommends leaving three times the normal following distance whenever snow or ice is present, which equates to about 8 seconds of drive time. If you’re following a snow plow, keep a minimum distance of 200 feet.
6. Adjust your headlights to the conditions
Ensuring your headlights are adjusted correctly for winter conditions enhances visibility for you and other drivers. Best practices include turning on your headlights when visibility is reduced, such as during light rainfall and on dull, cloud-covered days. Consider using your vehicle’s fog lights to cast a lower, wider beam in significantly decreased winter driving conditions.
7. Handle skids with care
Staying calm and focused in skid situations is essential, as panicking hinders your ability to make rational decisions. Look in the direction you want to go, not where the skid is taking you, and steer in the direction you want to travel. Avoid the instinct to overcorrect by jerking the steering wheel or slamming on the brakes. Instead, make smooth and controlled movements to guide your vehicle back on course.
8. Avoid cruise control
Using cruise control too much on wet or slippery roads can slow down how fast you react to sudden changes. This happens because you’re less aware of what’s happening under your tires, making it harder to respond quickly if the road’s grip changes suddenly. Plus, wintry conditions often demand variable speeds based on the intensity of rainfall, the presence of ice or standing water, and other obstacles on the road.
9. Be mindful ofpuddles
Puddles might look harmless, but they can be deeper than you think. They might hide hazards like potholes and debris that could damage your vehicle. They also present an increased hydroplaning risk. Avoiding puddles where possible by taking the optimum path along water-covered roads is advised. This also reduces splashing for other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
10. Familiarize yourself with your anti-lock breaking system (ABS)
ABS is a standard safety feature in nearly all modern vehicles, designed to prevent wheel lock-up during hard braking, like when you skid. Anticipating and recognizing the sensation of pulsating feedback through the brake pedal when your ABS kicks in helps prevent panic and allows you to concentrate on steering and maintaining control.
Understanding winter driving risks
Because winter weather in Texas is typically milder than in most other states, drivers aren’t always prepared for adverse road conditions. However, a little bad weather is to be expected during the winter months. So, even the most experienced drivers can benefit from a few cautionary reminders about driving safely in rain, snow, and ice.
According to the US Department of Transportation, winter driving statistics show most crashes happen during rainfall or due to water lying on the surface. Much fewer accidents are caused by snow, ice, sleet, and fog, which are typically the most commonly perceived winter driving hazards. Additionally, cold weather can affect your car’s performance, emphasizing the need for proactive measures.
Wet roads
Rainy weather can reduce visibility, making it harder than usual to see what other vehicles around you are doing. Plus, traction is reduced when water lies on the road, increasing the potential for hydroplaning. In this phenomenon, a layer of water builds between the wheels and the road surface, resulting in a temporary loss of control.
Icy roads
Ice occurs when residual snow, frost, sleet, or hail freezes. The primary concern with icy conditions is the potential to lose control of your vehicle due to skidding or sliding. Ice is most slippery at just below freezing temperatures of 26-32°F, but much less so when the temperature drops further to single digits and below.
Reduced visibility
Most drivers associate reduced visibility with rain, fog, or blowing snow. However, it can also be caused by sun glare or foggy windows from having your heater on full blast. Reduced visibility in wintry conditions is particularly hazardous, leading to increased stress and fatigue, limited reaction times, and difficulties judging distance.
Car performance
Preparing for winter driving includes understanding the changes and limitations winter weather can impose on your vehicle. For example, cold weather can cause tire pressure and battery efficiency to drop, and windshield washer and brake fluid might freeze. Plus, fluids like oil and coolant can thicken, increasing engine workload that might lead to overheating.
How to prepare your car for winter
When preparing for a winter storm, most people think about protecting their pipes, securing a backup power supply, and ensuring plenty of provisions in the house. But preparing your vehicle for colder temperatures and adverse weather like rain, ice, and snow is just as important. Here’s a list of winter car safety best practices.
- General Maintenance: Perform a general maintenance check focusing on brakes, windshield wipers, the spare tire, seat belts, and essential features like your in-car heater and windshield defroster.
- Tires: Check your tires for adequate tread depth and wheel alignment, and consider fitting snow tires in case you encounter storm conditions.
- Fluids: Regularly replenish essential fluids like antifreeze, oil, and windshield wash.
- Vision and Visibility: Make sure your headlights, taillights, windows, and mirrors are clean to maximize your field of vision and optimize your visibility to other drivers.
- Gas Tank: Keep your gas tank as full as possible to prevent the fuel line from freezing and provide a buffer in case you get stranded or stuck in traffic.
- Locks: Apply de-icing solution or specialized lubricants to door locks to prevent them from freezing.
- Washing: Wash your vehicle regularly, paying particular attention to the exhaust pipe and undercarriage to remove road salt that can lead to corrosion.
- Emergency Kit: Create a winter car emergency kit including essentials like blankets, a flashlight, a shovel or snow brush, an ice scraper, a first aid kit, and some non-perishable snacks to see you through any delays caused by winter driving conditions.
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