Safe Driving Tips for Winter

Hot chocolate, cozy sweaters, fireplaces, Christmas! Who doesn’t look forward to winter? Winter is arguably the best time of the year for many folks. However, for us Canadians, with winter comes snow. And we know what that means; cars snowed in, slippery roads, and a bunch of other health and safety hazards.

When winter is approaching, make sure you prepare your car for everything that comes with it. That means keeping your vehicle’s doors and locks lubricated. Also, inspect your vehicle’s engine thoroughly or have it looked at by a professional at an auto-shop or used car dealer in Calgary. Lastly, invest in winter tires and windshield wipers designed to tackle snowfall.

Safe Driving Tips for Winter

Additionally, if you live in an area prone to snowfall or sleet, keeping safety in mind while driving is essential. Whether you have a brand new car or a used car, you need safety tips. Trust us, the snow and winter rains can bring even the best cars down!

Maintain Your Distance

Not everyone’s driving safely in the snow; we know that all too well. The intelligent thing to do is maintain a safe distance from other drivers on the road. Even if they’re not driving recklessly, they might be inexperienced or have tires not suited for the weather conditions.

If you’re driving behind someone that seems to be struggling a bit, slow down and maintain a safe distance from them. That way, if they hit the brakes abruptly, your car won’t accidentally run into theirs.  

Slow and Steady

We know, driving like the wind can be extremely fun. However, snowy or rainy weather is no time to do it. Drive as cautiously as possible, the roads are slippery, and it’s better to be safe than sorry!

If the weather is terrible, try not to drive at all. But if you absolutely must, prepare for a long commute since the best thing to do is move as slowly as possible. The same goes for if it’s snowing; try to drive slowly to make sure your vehicle is as steady and in your control as possible.

Emergency Winter Kit

Preparing your vehicle for winter includes preparing a winter emergency kit for your car. This is different for everyone depending on the type, size, and unique needs of your vehicle and weather conditions in your area.

However, winter safety kits typically include the following, feel free to add or take out anything you feel necessary or unnecessary!

Emergency Winter Kits include:

• Tire chains
• Sandbags (you can also substitute with kitty litter!)
• Tow rope.
• Snow shovel
• Traction mats
• Snow brush
• Warning devices such as flares or emergency lights
• Booster cables
• Ice scrapers
• Fuel line de-icer
• Windshield wiper fluid
• Paper towels
• Flashlights and batteries
• Emergency blanket
• Extra warm clothes
• First aid kit
• Emergency food; water, snacks, protein bars.
• Matches and lighters
• Maps
• Flare guns or ‘Help’ signs.

Headlights!

The best rule to follow while driving in harsh weather is to see and be seen. Make sure your headlights are on but don’t turn on the high beam! It might make it difficult for other cars to see your vehicle if you’re flashing them in the eyes. Use a low beam while driving in the snow. If it’s foggy out, turn on your high beams for more visibility!

Prepare for Skids

Sooner or later, you’ll probably hit a slippery spot on the road, and your vehicle might start skidding. Don’t panic! This might sound counterintuitive, but don’t slam on the brakes immediately.

If you’re facing front-wheel skids, ease off the gas for a bit until the front wheels gain back some traction. If you’re dealing with back-wheel skids, your vehicle will probably begin to spin, turn your steering wheel in the direction the car is spinning. Slowly ease off the accelerator and wait until the wheels gain control.

Make Use of Anti-Lock Brakes

If you’re unable to stop the skidding using the methods mentioned above, hit the brakes. Shift your focus to the car’s Anti-Lock Brake System or ABS if your vehicle has one. If you’re looking to switch cars and are looking at used cars in Calgary, try to get one with an ABS installed.

Hit the brakes and keep your foot on it even if you’re driving around something. The technology will help you gradually slow down while maintaining the force of each wheel’s brakes.