US Department of Transportation has reported that at least 1300 deaths and 116,800 injuries occur annually due to accidents occurring in snowy or icy conditions. Approximately 70% of roads in America are exposed to harsh winter conditions. Chances are good that if you are reading this article, these tips will make your travel safe on the roads even in these harsh weather conditions. Here are our 6 tips for safer winter driving.

Keep a check on speed

Slow down while you are driving in an icy or snowy weather. There is a good reason every traffic safety expert suggest this point. This is the most basic and the most important point you need to keep in your mind. Even if you lose control of your vehicle on an icy road, you’ll have a lot more time to regain the control of your car. Moreover, it will also make sure that there is adequate distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you.

Proper vehicle maintenance

Proper vehicle maintenance is even more crucial in winter. You need to make sure that your battery is working properly. Your fluids level must also be adequate. You have to inspect the tires every time you go out for a drive in snowy conditions. In extreme winter conditions, air pressure is reduced in the tires. Therefore, a proper check on car tires and the battery is necessary.

Do not drive too slow

Keeping a check on your speed does not mean that you have to crawl your way on roads in snowy conditions. Going too slow is as much a hazard as going beyond the safe speed. If you are going below the minimum required speed, you are slowing the traffic flow. Moreover, there is a good chance that you will end up with a car crashing you from rear-end. Therefore, maintaining a safe minimum speed is the best way to avoid an accident.

Invest in winter tires

Nothing in the world is more precious than your life and those of your loved ones. When you are regularly driving in winter, investing in your safety is always beneficial. For this extreme weather, snow tires make sure that there is enough friction between the tire and the road surface that your brakes work as efficiently as they do in normal weather. These tires will significantly reduce the chances of skidding on a snowy road when brakes are applied.

Get ready to handle your car when it skids

Skidding is common in snowy conditions. Therefore, you need to have a good idea of how to handle the car in such a situation. The best way of doing this is to practice in a safe environment. This will make sure that when your car skids, you will not panic and will be able to retake the control of vehicle in a moment. Getting ready before the actual moment of skidding arrives is extremely beneficial for you.

Ensure Stopping Sight Distance (SSD) on the road

Stopping Sight Distance is the minimum distance required to immediately stop a vehicle to avoid an impending collision. You can ensure this by keeping fog away from your windshield and by making sure that your headlights are working properly. Your car’s heating and cooling systems, viper fluid, and viper blades must all be working properly to ensure that you have a clear view of the road ahead of you.

Conclusion

We hope that after reading these tips, you’ll be able to travel safely on the road in this winter. If you are having trouble with your car, please come see us. We tackle all auto service needs from auto collision to automotive maintenance.  You can also give us a call to schedule an appointment. For the Oklahoma City location, call 405.733.9797, South Oklahoma City location: 405.691.1820, and Midwest City location: 405.732.0762.