Steer Clear of Winter Driving Woes

Outsmarting Winter Weather Road Conditions

Winter can sometimes be a challenging season for driving, especially for those living in snowy states. You may have to deal with white outs, black ice and slow commutes just to start. Also, with the holiday season, numerous travelers are on the road heading to holiday parties and to see family. Even though you can’t control Mother Nature, you definitely take some steps to be prepared!

Make sure your vehicle is in good working order. Before winter hits, double check to ensure your vehicle is ready. Stock up on antifreeze and window-wiper fluid, check levels regularly. Also, check that your tires are properly inflated, you have working wiper blades, headlights are working and your battery has a good charge.
Stock your vehicle with a winter emergency kit. There are a couple of items that you should consider keeping in your car during the winter just in case. Some items include a set of warm clothes or blankets, cell phone charger, a flashlight, jump cables, tow rope and a shovel. Other good things to have are a bag of sand or kitty litter for traction, battery-operated radio, state map and snacks that store well.
Clear off your car entirely of snow and ice. Don’t be those people who just flick their wiper blades to make a “peephole” and be on your way. In most states, it’s the law that your car must be completely clear of snow and ice. Keep a snow brush, ice scraper and de-icing spray in your car to get the job done. It is important to get the roof of your car as well, because if you don’t it will come sliding down onto your windshield and block your vision. You should also clear off your headlights, brake lights and license plate. Making sure that your wiper blades are clear and not frozen to the windshield is a good idea as well.
Take your time driving in bad winter weather. When driving in a white out or bad winter road conditions, it is best to take your time, because you get into trouble when you speed. Always leave stopping room between you and the car ahead of you. This is a good idea especially if you hit some black ice and have trouble stopping.
What to do if you get stuck: Avoid spinning your wheels, it will only dig you in deeper. Use a shovel to clear a path for you navigate out of the situation if possible. Sprinkle some sand or kitty litter behind or in front of your tires for traction if necessary. Gently start to ease the vehicle out or start shifting the vehicle between drive and reverse to “rock” it out of place. If you are still having trouble call for road assistance to help.
Let someone else know of your travel plans. Before hitting the road notify someone else of your travel route. Let them know your general time frame for departing and arriving as well as the general route you will be taking. This way if you don’t arrive on time they can check in with you to make sure that everything is okay. It is also good to make sure that your cell phone is fully charged and have a full tank of gas before leaving on your trip.
Hire someone else to take care of the driving. Hiring a chauffeured transportation company can help ease your winter travel worries by letting someone else do the driving. If you are headed out to dinner, to go shopping, to the airport etc. it is a great idea to save yourself the hassle. Aristocat Transportation offers a variety of luxury vehicles to get you safely to and from your destination.

Posted on November 18th, 2013 in Useful Tips.