Five Winter Driving Safety Tips for You and Your Family
We never know what the Minnesota winter will bring!
Unpredictability means it’s all the more important to review winter driving safety tips. You want to be prepared in case of any emergency.
Limit Distractions While Driving
Your top priority while driving in winter weather should always be remaining attentive and vigilant on the roads. While this may seem like an obvious tip, speeding and unfocused driving are the main causes of serious accidents in work zones and icy road conditions. And yes - this includes staying off your cell phone!
Err on the Side of Caution
When driving in inclement weather, always keep safety in mind when setting your speed. Work extra travel time into your daily routine. This may not be the best time of year to stop for that latte if you’re running a few minutes late!
Leave Space Between Yourself and Other Drivers
Always try to keep extra stopping space between your vehicle and those around you. If you end up behind a snowplow, it’s recommended that you keep between 5 - 10 car lengths between you and the plow ahead. They may slow your commute down (significantly, at times), but remember to be patient! Snowplows only goal is making the roads a safer space for everyone.
Stay Calm During Skids
While you may try to prevent an incident from occurring, icy weather can lead to dangerous situations, no matter how well you prepare. If your vehicle does end up skidding, remember to try to stay calm. Lightly take your foot off of the gas and turn your steering wheel in the direction you need the front of your car to go.
Prepare a Winter Survival Kit
Plan to equip your car with a winter survival kit specialized for you and your family! This kit should include basics like a scraper or brush and jumper cables, as well as something like sand or cat litter to help provide traction. Keeping items like blankets, phone chargers, extra jackets and gloves, and high energy foods can also ensure that you, and any others you may have in the car, remain as comfortable as possible in case of an emergency.
Preparing for the winter ahead can seem like a daunting task, but by implementing tips like these ahead of time, you can ensure that you and those you love remain as safe as possible, no matter the conditions you have to travel through.
Sources:
https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/weather-awareness-preparedness/Pages/winter-driving.aspx
https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/winter-driving/Pages/default.aspx
