Mastering driving in weather for all seasons is one of the most important ways to be a safe, responsible driver and protect yourself and your vehicle at all times. These weather safety tips can help you to be a more conscientious driver and give you a lot of peace of mind on the road.
How To Navigate Weather for All Seasons
1. Be Proactive
Make sure to prepare your vehicle for inclement weather, especially if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow. Check your tires and make sure there are no bald spots. Change your windshield wipers as needed, and keep your wiper fluid filled up.
Get a tune-up and oil change, and make sure the brakes work correctly. Doing all these things will allow you to get better traction on the road, stop better on slippery surfaces, and have good visibility even when the snow starts to fall.
2. Take it Easy
It’s a simple fact that you can’t go as fast in tricky weather as you can when it’s sunny outside. It pays to pump the brakes a bit when it’s raining or snowing, as you’ll be less likely to spin out, hydroplane, or have trouble braking.
Leave yourself a little extra time to get where you need to go and avoid rushing when the roads are wet, icy, or snowy. It’s also a good idea to leave more than a car-length in front of your vehicle just in case the person ahead of you hits the brakes and you need to stop suddenly.
3. Use Headlights
Different weather conditions can certainly affect your visibility, so it’s a good idea to use your low beams to cut through fog when you’re driving on a busy road. You can flip on those high beams if you’re on the back roads, but be aware that they can blind other drivers on major roads. Some models come with automatic running lights that should adjust to the conditions. If not, have your low lights at the ready while you drive.
4. Listen to Weather Warnings
Don’t chance the roads if there’s a driving ban. Roads can be slick, snow-packed, or unsalted, leading to significant accidents and very slick conditions. Driving under a ban can actually put yourself and others at risk. If you’re unsure of the road conditions, tune into local radio in the morning or check the news. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Heeding weather warnings, taking it slow, and making sure that your vehicle is in tip-top shape before the snow starts flying are all great ways to master navigating the roads in any and all conditions. Stop in and see us at Tom O’Brien CJDR and test drive a weather-ready reliable vehicle today.
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