Winter safe driving tips focused on new road safety campaigns
**As written for The Safe Driver.
A report by Water Down Collision revealed there is a 3.1% to 4.7% rise in car accidents during December and January, and a 49% increase in insurance claims, according to the Star. Driving a car in Canada during the winter season can be tricky due to blizzards and hailstorms experienced regularly. While staying off the roads entirely when there is a snowstorm might sound ideal, but it is unrealistic. To ensure safety on the icy roads, you need to practice these essential tips for safe driving to avoid risks.
Choose a Dependable Car
The type of car you choose affects your driving experience in winter. Certain vehicles are more reliable and adept at mastering icy roads than others do. That is why you need to invest in cars with dependable features to help you navigate through the tough terrain. The list of dependable cars is endless, which is why choosing the best can be difficult.
To make the process simple, experts recommend investing in an SUV. Sports utility vehicles come with advanced features that make them more dependable and comfortable than other cars. For example, both midsize and full-sized SUVs are all-wheel-drive, meaning they send power to all wheels to give you a high level of grip and control required to cruise on tough terrain. Other features include autonomous emergency braking, adjustable driving modes, and adaptive cruise control.
Use Safe Driving Tactics on Snowy Roads
Before you can drive off in the winter condition, prepare your vehicle for the snowy roads. Buy the right winter tires and check the mirrors, rooftops, and windows to ensure they are free of snow or frost. It would be best if you also carried emergency equipment like flashlights, a lightweight shovel, and battery jumper cables.
Slow and smooth driving is critical on snowy roads. When you drive quickly or make abrupt turns and stops, your car loses control and skids. By controlling your vehicle smoothly and slowly, you reduce the chances of causing collisions. Also, avoid tailgating because stopping on snowy roads takes longer than on dry surfaces. Other safe winter driving tactics worth practicing include braking before making turns, keeping the lights on, avoid cruise control and focus on the road.
Driving can be daunting, especially on roads covered with snow or ice. Fortunately, you can improve your driving experience by implementing some safe driving strategies. Investing in a reliable car is advisable to ensure you navigate through different roads without facing many challenges.