Practicing Winter Safety On The Road

Winter is the time for snow, cold weather, and holidays

. Beginning in November, many people will take to the roads to visit family and friends for the holidays. They will venture the roads, traveling for hundreds of miles, to spend that special time of year with their loved ones. To make sure that you make your trip safely, you should have a complete inspection of your car and prepare it for winter traveling. Practicing winter safety while on the road begins with a bumper-to-bumper inspection of your car and ends with safe driving habits.

Prepare Your Car

You should perform a complete inspection of your car beginning with the headlights. Make sure your headlights work and that they are clean so that they can provide optimum visibility. Check the windshield wipers and fluid. Make sure the wipers work and that they provide good visibility. Top off the wiper fluid if it is low. Check the oil, transmission fluid, and coolant levels. If you see any levels that are low, top those off with the appropriate fluid. Give a thorough inspection to your brakes and tires.

Make sure your brake pads and tires are in good condition. If you notice a thin cushioning on the brake pads or excessive tire wear, you should replace all tires or both brakes, since brakes are paired. Inspect the spark plugs and wires and make sure they are in good condition. Clean off the top of the battery and make sure it has a good charge. You should also check the steering and suspension systems and make any repairs needed.

Prepare Your Winter Safety Kits

In the event that you are stranded, you should have winter safety kits at your disposal. This kit should include a first aid kit. Keep it fully stocked and be sure to replenish any supplies used out of it. You should have some blankets, hats, and gloves in your car to keep warm. Have a few bottles of water and a few snacks on hand, if you are traveling with children. Include a set of booster cables, de-icer fluid, ice scraper, shovel, and a small bag of kitty litter or sand. It would be wise to include an extra battery that is fully charged and make sure that your cell phone is charged before you leave out of your home.

Drive Safely

It is very important to drive slower, especially in snowy and icy conditions. Driving slower will allow you greater control when stopping. It takes less fuel to come to a stop from a slower speed than it does from a higher speed. Allow plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. To avoid skidding, brake slowly. If you do find yourself skidding despite your best efforts, do not panic. Just turn the wheel in the direction of the skid and lightly tap the brakes.

If you have antilock brakes, just apply an even pressure. Never stomp or stand on the brakes. Make sure that your windshield wipers are operational and that you have plenty of windshield washer fluid. The washer fluid helps to keep your windshield clean and keep grime and debris from accumulating on the surface. If you take your time and plan your journey, you will find that you will not have to drive at excessive speeds. You can contact your local AAA office if you need information on trip planning and route suggestions.

by:Tom Burns

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