Ten Snow Driving Tips

Ten Snow Driving Tips

Looking for some snow driving tips to help you get through your winter vacation? Driving in the snow can be a very tricky task and it takes an experienced driver who knows the proper snow driving techniques to maneuver through cold, slippery and icy road conditions. Here are ten driving tips for snow to help you get through the winter:

1. Regular Maintenance Checks – Are your windshield wiper blades in proper working order? Do you have enough anti-freeze or coolant in your engine? Are your tires properly inflated? Both underinflated and overinflated tires increase the likelihood of going into a skid on the road. 

2. Snow Tires – If you live in an area where you have to frequently drive in the snow, snow tires will greatly increase your driving safety because their unique tread design provides better traction and road-gripping abilities.

3. Snow Chains – Attach these to the drive wheels on your car to get the best traction to help you get through the ice and snow. If you have four-wheel drive, you should purchase some for all four of your tires.

4. No Cell Phones – One of the biggest problems in driving safety is the use of a cellular phone. While driving in the snow, the chances of your car suddenly losing control at a moments notice is heightened, so driving safety demands that drivers in the snow should be free from any and all distractions.

5. Drive Slower – Of all snow driving tips, this may be one of the most important. Don’t drive too slowly, because that can affect the car’s ability to properly grip the road. But of all the snow driving techniques available to a driver, reducing your speed will greatly reduce the chances of going into a skid.

6. Expand Your Following Distance – One of the most oft discussed driving safety snow driving techniques is to double the amount of space between you and the car in front of you when driving in the snow. One of the most important snow driving tips is to anticipate cars coming from side streets and if someone is following too close behind you, don’t speed up; slow down or let them go around you.

7. Break Softly – Another very important snow driving technique is to keep a light touch on the brakes. Even if your driving a vehicle with an anti-lock braking system, apply light pressure to avoid locking the brakes and causing a skid. Pumping the brake pedal should be a smooth action, going from light to firm. “Tip toe to slow” is a good snow driving tips motto for winter drivers.

8. Avoid Driving Fatigued – Driving safety requires you to be alert at all times. If you are too tired to drive, stay home. It only takes a brief moment of nodding off to put you and other drivers in a serious situation. A few driving tips for snow to stay awake include: turning up the radio, getting out of the car and doing some exercises, drinking a cup of coffee or leaving the window open (the cold should wake you up!).

9. Dealing with Hills –  Don’t power up hills. A few driving tips for snow you should use are applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down the hill as slowly as possible. Another snow driving technique is don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing scarier than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road.

10. Equipment Checklist – The following driving safety items are must haves if you’re driving in the snow:

blanket or extra clothes
- candle with matches
- snacks
- beverages (never alcohol)
- flares
- C. B. radio, cellular phone or ham radio
- a small shovel
- flashlight
- windshield scraping device
- tow rope
- bag of sand or cat litter for traction
- long jumper cables