Safe Winter Driving Tips - How to Drive in Bad Winter Weather

Ok here is the most obvious safe driving tip for Snow or Ice covered roadways. Stay at home! Don’t put yourself and your vehicle in danger if you don’t have to. Unless it’s an emergency or you just have to drive to get to work then stay at home. Plan ahead, if they call for snow or ice, stock up on groceries and or medicine you need, and stay at home.

If you know you will have to drive on bad highways, plan ahead. Make sure your vehicle is in good condition for winter driving. Make sure you have antifreeze in the car. Also all fluids need to be checked. Any belts need to be checked, really important if you have one belt for anything. You don’t want that breaking and stranding you on the side the road on a cold snowy day. Also brakes and tires need to be in good shape. If you live in an area that has lots of snow, go ahead and get some winter tires that do better in snowy conditions. Also make sure you have plenty of gas.

Make yourself aware of road conditions. Have on hand a website and or phone number to check local driving conditions. It will save you a lot of trouble if you know in advance that a road you need to go on is closed. Also make sure if you have a cell phone that is is fully charged. Put extra warm clothes in the car. Don’t wear a lot of clothes while driving that can restrict your movements. Put a thermos of hot coffee or coco in the car and some food; in case you run off the road or something and have to wait several hours for help to arrive.

A winter emergency kit is a great thing to have. Put it in the trunk of the car and leave it there. Some items to have in it are a space blanket, ice scraper, a shovel, a bag of sand to pour under tires for traction. Other items would be a tow rope or chain, booster cables, flashlight and batteries (fresh) bottled water, a first aid kid and matches.