As the days grow shorter and the weather gets colder, it’s that time of year when the roads get more slippery. Wet leaves in the fall create hazardous driving conditions just as much as snow and ice do in the winter. Knowing how to prepare your vehicle for fall and winter driving and how to handle your vehicle on the road can help prevent unnecessary accidents.
The utmost importance during this time of year as well as all year round is making sure that you leave sufficient stopping distance as you drive behind other vehicles. Common sense dictates that It takes more distance to stop on wet roads then dry roads and even more distance while driving on wet leaves, snow and ice. An easy way to determine safe distances is to pick an object like a pole or sign up ahead. Once the rear of the vehicle ahead passes that object start counting “one mississippi, two mississippi” in your head until the front of your vehicle reaches that object. Ideally you should have counted at least “two mississippi” as you reach that object.
Check the tread depth on your tires. Using a penny, stick the penny with President Lincoln’s head down in different areas of the treads of your tires. if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, its time to get new tires… And don’t just get one tire. Make sure that all tires are changed. This not only ensures better traction on wet and icy roads, it will save you money in the long run, and it will increase your MPG’s.
Most newer vehicles are equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). If your vehicle is equipped with ABS and you hit a patch of wet leaves, ice or snow, you should apply firm pressure to the brake. Maintain that pressure. Do not remove your foot from the brake. The ABS system is designed to regulate the pressure you apply and will automatically brake your vehicle while allowing you to steer.
If you brake and the vehicle starts to skid or slide, your gut reaction will probably be to steer away from the direction of the skid. Don’t follow your gut. You should steer the vehicle in the same direction as the skid. This will allow you to recover the vehicle much quicker.
Another important point to remember is to make sure your tires are inflated to the proper pressure or PSI. This will also help in steering and traction.
Essentials to keep in the trunk of your vehicle during fall and winter driving months include: a small shovel; a blanket; jumper cables; a flashlight with extra batteries; 50lb bag of sand. The added weight of the sand will help reduce fish tailing of the rear of your vehicle. You can also use the sand if you get stuck in snow or ice. Using the shovel, just place some sand under the tires of your car for added traction. You can use the blanket if you get stranded and must stay the night in your car. The flashlight can be used instead of the car’s battery which can drain very quickly in cold weather.
Don’t you just hate those drivers who just clear a small patch of ice on their windshield and leave the rest of their vehicle covered in snow and ice? I get so irritated when I see that so much so that I feel like getting out of my car and offering to clear the snow off of their vehicle. But sanity takes control of me and I just stay far away from those drivers. The last thing I want is a chunk of ice flying off the roof of their car and into my windshield. So just take the extra few minutes and clear your vehicle of as much snow and ice as may be possible. Don’t forget to clean your head lamps and tail lights as well.
Following these tips will not guaranty that you won’t have an accident but they will certainly arm you with the knowledge you can use to avoid them and how to survive the fall and winter driving months.
The foregoing does not and is not intended to serve as legal advice.
