Dec 16, 2020
Ways to Drive Safely in the Winter
The holiday season is one time to enjoy hot chocolate and get cozy by fires during the evening and the night. There will never be a shortage in things to do during the winter season. To get many of these jobs done, you will need to travel by your vehicle. Make sure you adhere to the following guidelines to drive safely during this season, whether for long or short distances:
- Always be fresh and alert- It is very important to get rest after a long drive in any season, and more so in winter. Driver fatigue is responsible for many accidents; remember to focus a lot more than summer to drive in the snow.
- Plan in advance- Your vehicle must be in top shape to tackle difficult winter conditions. It would be a good idea to check the weather before leaving and know which roads are safe to drive on. Also remember to take a windshield scraper.
- Use a smartphone app- Map your road trip route after you install a road trip app on your phone
- Practice defensive driving- Winter roads and traffic jams can together create difficult conditions for road users. If you value your safety, let the aggressive and impatient drivers pass you at the intersection. This will allow you to control the traffic situation.
- Speed check- Remember to give yourself distance and speed margins to be able to react in time. Reckless driving at high speed can increase your chances of accidents, which may lead to serious injuries at times. It is pointless to complicate a situation where you know that your vehicle may struggle for grip.
- Practice safety- One of the most effective ways to increase safety is to always wear a seat belt in the vehicle. Encourage others in the vehicle to do the same.
- Keep distractions at bay- Did you know that sending or receiving a text message takes your attention away from the road for a full 5 seconds? At a speed of 60 mph, you will be able to cover as much distance as a football field in that much time. Do not forget that it’s not just you, but even other vehicles in that area will be travelling at roughly the same speed. If at all you need to call or text urgently, it is always better to pull over to the side. There is no limit to the harm that a distraction in the form of an SMS can cause.
- Do not drive under the influence- Winter can be a time for several opportunities to drink, either at restaurants or at other peoples’ houses. If you plan to drink on a particular night, remember to not drive. Ensure that you know a designated driver for such an occasion. You may even stay over at another person’s home as well. Remember- you are not just putting your life in danger, but also the lives of other motorists.
- Get accident coverage- Remember to get in touch with your insurance agent and find out about accident coverage options to recover from unexpected occurrences. This will help give you peace of mind.
- Protect the car from theft- You could practice simple techniques such as storing valuables in the trunk and parking in known spots to prevent vehicle theft.
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