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Driving Mistakes often Made in Winter Months

12/30/2013

As winter comes blasting into full swing, most areas will soon find (if they haven't already) roadways and highways to be quite dangerous and difficult to travel on. Tackling the roads in winter months can be a much tougher task than doing so in the spring or summer months. It's important to be aware of these severe conditions and take the necessary precautions to keep safe. Avoid making the following mistakes that are usually associated with driving in winter months:

Not Being Fully Prepared

When you hit the open road, it's important to be completely prepared for the unexpected. One of the biggest reasons accidents often occur is the fact that drivers aren't ready for the season's first snowfall. There are various ways to check and see if your vehicle is currently up to par. For example, you can check the pressure and tread of your tires and even consider purchasing all-weather tires or snow tires, depending on your specific location. You may also find it vital to check your antifreeze levels, battery power, defroster, and rear window defogger.

Following Too Closely

If you are not used to driving in the snow, then you may not know to leave enough space between yourself and the vehicles in front of you. You need to give yourself enough time to react. If the roads are bad, the car in front of you may have to break quickly or unexpectedly. Therefore, you'll want plenty of room to avoid causing a collision. Try to avoid slamming on your brakes in general, as the action will most likely cause the brakes to completely lockup, leaving you to have lack of control of the vehicle.

Speeding or Driving Too Fast

Even if you're driving the designated speed limit, you still may be driving too fast for the wintery conditions. You can never be sure how the snow or ice has affected the road, which in turn could influence the way your vehicle reacts or handles these new circumstances. It's important to give yourself plenty of time and to proceed with caution. If you're traveling too quickly, then you may not have time to properly react, break, or even stop.

Stay Safe on the Road

It's no big secret that the road can be and is often a hazardous place. This statement rings even truer once winter months hit and snow and ice begin to litter the roadways. It's important to always be prepared for the unexpected, as you never know how other drivers are going to react to the new road conditions. Remember to take your time and drive with ease - there is no trip or destination worthy of risking your life and/or the lives of others.

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