Although it hasn’t really seemed like it (YET), winter is here. Sure, we’ve seen more 50 degree days than we have snow days, but we’ve still got a couple months left before Spring is here. I’m sure at some point over the next couple of months we’re going to experience some real winter weather (hope I didn’t just jinx us!)… and I for one dread driving in winter conditions. You know that person driving 5 mph with a line of 20 cars behind them when there is 1 inch of snow on the ground? If you’re in the South Shore area, that person is probably me. I take the usual precautions when driving in winter weather…drive slower than usual, don’t get too close to the car in front of me, etc. But it’s always good to have a little reminder about winter driving tips for when this kind of weather actually does hit us. Here are a few reminders from weather.com and the MA Highway Dept.
- Allow 3x more space than usual between you and the car in front of you
- Drive slow and with caution! (this is an obvious one, but still a good reminder)
- Turn on your headlights for better visibility
- Clear snow from headlights, all windows, and even your hood and roof
- Take extra caution on bridges (they freeze over first) and on-ramps and off-ramps (they dont get at much sand/salt treatment as the highway)
- Don’t use cruise control in winter conditions
- Don’t be overconfident in a 4 wheel drive vehicle… while 4 wheel drive will help you get moving quicker, it won’t help you stop any quicker
- Know your brakes. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) will pulse when you put your foot on the brake, this is normal. Do not pump the brakes if you have anti-lock brakes.
- Make sure you have windshield washer fluid to clear your windshield. They make de-icer kinds that won’t freeze when it hits in the windshield.
Do you have any other tips that you use when driving in winter weather? Share them below!
Related posts:
New snow is so pretty, don’t you think? I love that picture. Be careful out there!
I love snow when it first falls too Pat… so pretty! Although it’s only pretty from the comfort of my own home, looking at it through my window… it’s not so pretty once I have to try to drive in it!
Hey, you did jinx us! no fair! i hate snow and the driving in our town this morning was awful. i was the 5 mph person.
Haha But I made sure to knock on wood as I was writing the post! Guess that didnt work out too well. lol And don’t feel bad, I was definitely that 5mph person last week when we got like a half an inch in our area.