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Even if you don't experience winter storms often, it's still important to know how to drive in any season's conditions. How should you handle it when your drive time intersects with winter weather? You should first prepare your car for winter and then learn from these scenarios.
The safest option is to avoid driving during inclement weather if you are able to do so.
If you’re in a rainstorm, avoid slamming on the brakes or abruptly correcting your steering. If your vehicle begins hydroplaning, ease off the gas pedal and steer straight until you regain control.
Heavy fog makes it harder for you to see your surroundings and for others to see you. If you find yourself in heavy fog, here are some steps to keep you safe.
When the streets have snow on them, you won’t be able to stop or maneuver as quickly. When you see snow on the roads here are some steps to take.
When snow melts during a warm winter day but freezes again overnight, something termed black ice can form. It’s not actually black - just a very thin, shiny-looking sheet of ice that’s often difficult to detect. When you think there may be black ice, you should, if possible, delay driving until temperatures warm. Otherwise, drive at slower-than-posted speeds and increase your following distance.
If you observe nearby drivers losing control of their vehicles, there is a good chance you could, too. Two actions will help. First, slow down and put as much distance as possible between your vehicle and other vehicles, in case you spin out or someone else loses control. If your vehicle begins to skid, do not overcorrect. Instead, keep your foot off the brake and steer into the direction of the skid until you regain control of the vehicle. More important, if you can, pull off to a rest stop or other parking area until you can make a better judgment about the condition of the roads.
When you encounter drifting snow, getting off the road until conditions improve should be your first goal. Until you can do that, turn your headlights on low, which will increase your visibility to others, and try to follow in other drivers’ tracks. If possible, pull over safely or exit, turn your hazards on and wait to resume your drive until the wind and snow decrease. Make sure you have a well-stocked emergency kit that’s easily accessible.
In any bad weather situation, if you feel that you can’t safely drive any further, pull off the road out of traffic. Contact the local authorities for help getting the weather forecast, deciding on alternate routes or getting to a safe place until weather conditions improve. If the forecast shows no signs of improving, try to find a spot to stay put for an hour or two. In addition, when choosing alternate routes, try to avoid bridges and highway overpasses, which tend to accumulate ice more quickly.
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