Driving and winter weather don’t always mix well together. Winter is not the season in which the most vehicle accidents take place, but extreme weather conditions can certainly make an accident more likely.
If you live in a part of the country that deals with snow, ice, and freezing weather this time of year like we do here in the Northeast, then you know how treacherous travel can be when conditions get bad enough. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to prepare yourself for driving in the winter. Here are a few of them:
Preventative Measures
Before you go anywhere in bad weather, you need to make sure your vehicle is ready to handle the conditions. That means making sure your brakes are in good shape, you have a full tank of gas, and your tires are properly inflated. You may even want to invest in snow tires if you live in an area that receives enough of the white stuff. And, of course, make sure your windshield wiper blades are in good shape, so you’ll actually be able to see while driving.
Take It Slow
When you’re driving in wintry conditions, your number one goal is to get to your destination safely no matter how long the ride takes. That means you shouldn’t speed, give other cars on the road plenty of space, brake and accelerate gradually, and never stop when going uphill or you might get stuck. It’s also a good idea to check your wheel wells to make sure there’s no snow or ice in them.
Know When to Stay Home
On certain occasions, the weather may be bad enough that it’s not advisable to travel in it at all. The wind may make it impossible to see or the snow may be falling at too fast of a pace for clean-up crews to keep up with. In that case, you’ll be likely to get stuck, slide off the road, or worse. If you’re being advised by experts to stay at home, listen.
Following this advice can help keep you safe while driving in the winter. Unfortunately, there’s no foolproof way to totally prevent accidents from happening. If you’re involved in an accident, your vehicle may be in need of collision work. In that case, A&B Collision Center is the place to take it in Staten Island or New Jersey. We can offer you a rental car and help you with insurance claims while our expert technicians work on your vehicle. Contact us at one of our three locations to learn more.