Winter weather has finally arrived! Time for cold, snow, and winter driving! I asked Jody Victor®  to tell us how to stay safe during winter weather conditions.

Jody Victor®: Hey, Steve, you couldn’t have asked me at a better time. Here are 10 tips to help you have a safe winter.

1. Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or driving in isolated areas. Heed local emergency warnings. Listen to the radio or call the state highway patrol for latest road conditions. Allow extra time to reach your destination during inclement weather. If you have a cell phone, take it with you. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in layers. Keep an emergency bag in your car at all times. Items to include: blankets, gloves, hats, boots, food and water and any needed medications. Keep a snow brush and ice scraper in your car as well as a folding/compact shovel, emergency lights or flares and a container of kitty litter or ice-melting salt. Avoid travelling alone. If you have to travel alone, let someone know your destination, route and when you expect to arrive there.
2. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
3. Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times to avoid gas line freeze-up.
4. Always have your headlights on during wintry conditions.
5. Do not use cruise control.
6. If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
7. On ice and snow- take it slow. Drive for worst-scenario conditions- slower speeds, slower acceleration, slower steering and slower braking. Remember posted speed limits are for ideal conditions. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. Don’t power up hills. All you’ll do is set your wheels to spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top.
8. Know your vehicle’s braking system. Vehicles with antilock brakes require a different braking technique than vehicles without antilock brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold braking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Don’t stop if you can avoid it. Especially do not stop on a hill unless absolutely necessary. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes or the vehicle in front of you makes its turn, do it. Always leave extra room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you; the larger the vehicle, the longer the stopping distance. Keep in mind four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to drive in the snow but they do not stop (or steer) any better or quicker on ice than two-wheel drive vehicles.
9. Always look and steer the way you want to go. If you skid, steer in the direction you want the car to go and straighten the steering wheel when the vehicle moves in the desired direction. Remember to steer slow and steady. Jerky movements can cause the car to spin out of control.
10. If you find yourself behind a snow plow, stay behind it until it is safe to pass. Remember snow plow drivers have a limited field of vision. Stay back (15 car lengths) until you’re sure it is safe to pass or until the plow pulls off the road. If you approach an on-coming snow plow, slow down and give the plow a little extra room.

All the Best!

Steve Victor