Even though Atlanta doesn’t see the same kinds of winter conditions as other parts of the country, you still need to be prepared. Having some solid winter driving safety tips on hand could save you some hassle, and maybe even from a serious accident.
Winter weather driving shouldn’t be considered lightly. Hopping in your car and just going on your way like everything is normal not only is foolish, it’s downright dangerous. You must change your driving habits in bad weather, plus take some extra precautions, otherwise you’re flirting with disaster.
Tips for Driving on Ice
The biggest thing you need to contend with during the winter here is ice. Driving on ice safely is possible, but you need to be prepared and armed with solid information. First, realize you cannot stop quickly, so speed up and slow down gradually. You should also go under the speed limit, which was set with dry conditions in mind.
If it’s possible, you should try to not stop at all, but instead coast to red lights with the hope they will change to green before you arrive.
Avoiding hills is a good idea, but if you have to go up them you cannot slam on the accelerator. Instead, keep your speed consistent. Also, never stop on a hill, because your risk of sliding increases dramatically.
If you do slide, don’t panic. The natural tendency is to steer the wheels in the opposite direction you’re sliding. You should actually point the wheels toward where you’re sliding, letting the tire tread “bite” into the ice so you regain traction and stop. This is completely counter-intuitive thing to do, but it could save you from an accident.
Of course, the safest way to deal with ice on the roads is to stay home. You might need to go to work, but limit how many other places you travel. This is the single best way to stay safe.
Keep Your Vehicle on its Maintenance Schedule
When it comes to winter driving safety tips, you may be thinking about the drive itself. In fact, maintaining your vehicle is a good move, whether you’re staying in town or plan on venturing out onto the open road. Driving in the winter brings with it some special considerations. You need good wiper blades so you don’t risk not being able to see. If yours leave streaks on the glass, it’s time to get them replaced.
Your tires need to have plenty of tread, and should be inflated properly. All your car’s fluids need to be kept at ideal levels, or you could have serious problems. The battery terminals should be free of corrosion, otherwise you risk the engine not starting.
Plan Ahead: Winter Safety Driving Tips
If you have to go out, always plan on trips taking longer. This means you should leave sooner so you’re not tempted to speed.
Keep your headlights on when the sky is overcast, that way you’re more visible to other drivers.
Before starting off, always clear any snow or ice off your vehicle. Keep an ice scraper somewhere inside your vehicle, so you can clear it completely as needed. If you cannot see out of the windows, the risk of hitting another car or a person skyrockets. Also, always check that the tailpipe is free of ice, slush or other debris before you get going, or else you risk carbon monoxide entering the cabin.
Before hitting the open road for a long trip in the winter, pack an emergency kit. It should have food, water, blankets, lights and first aid supplies. Always look up the weather reports for the path you’ve planned, and tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to arrive. Pack some snow chains, because you might run into heavy winter conditions in some areas. There could be situations where the local authorities require chains for you to drive on the road, making having them valuable.
When you’re out on the road, try to keep your gas tank above the halfway mark. If you do happen to get caught in some especially bad weather, the extra fuel will help you keep the engine and heater running.
Absolutely do not use cruise control is the road is slick. The car can’t make necessary adjustments if there’s trouble, which is why you should be in control at all times.
Driving in winter weather is always a challenge, no matter how much experience you have. These winter driving safety tips are preventative steps you can take to help you stay safe when you’re behind the wheel.
If you have something like a Rogue, do some homework before tackling the towing job. It’s best to look up the Nissan Rogue towing capacity as one of the first steps. After all, taking on a task without knowing the limits of your vehicle could easily turn into disaster.
Taking care of the trailer itself is something far too many people completely forget. Just like your vehicle, running the trailer with low or overinflated tires is just plain dangerous, especially in rainy, foggy, or dark conditions. Always check the tire pressure before setting out, adjusting it as needed. Before towing anything, perform a quick visual inspect for damage, excessive corrosion or other problems with the trailer.
You can’t drive on the road like you aren’t towing a trailer, because doing just that will lead to problems. For starters, your compact SUV won’t handle like it normally does, thanks to the added weight from the trailer. Expect that stopping and accelerating will take significantly longer, and plan accordingly. Also, maneuvering through tight areas that otherwise wouldn’t be a challenge might not even be possible.
ways to prevent this from happening is to just check all of the fluids in your car before you head out. This includes the oil, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid and even the window washing fluid. It’s such an easy thing to do, but failure to execute on it can lead to a serious disaster.
So many people these days depend on their smartphone for a small light. While this can work in a pinch around the house, the fact is having a good flashlight tucked in your glovebox is an incredibly wise idea. If you are stranded somewhere and night falls, you’ll have a trust light that doesn’t involve draining your phone battery.
As winter approaches, always keep your vehicle in the best possible driving condition for the season. Lights, tires, brakes, wipers, the defroster and radiator are very important for winter driving. 
There is little worse than going on a road trip, expecting days of fun and interesting sights, only to wind up on the side of the road with car problems. Preparing your car before the trip will greatly reduce your chance of becoming stranded.
Travelling with young kids can be a challenge in itself. Maximize the fun and enjoyment during the family vacation by doing some advance planning.
