Driving safely on ice and snow

I know, I know...it's that time of year AGAIN.  We have to say goodbye to sunny days and start thinking about the cold.  Now is the time to start thinking about driving in the snow and if you have new drivers now is the time to talk to them about it.

BEFORE it snows:

• Check your tires.  Make sure the tread on your tires are ready for the winter. 
• Check your windshield wipers:  This is one of the things we don't think about until we need it.  It's just like your batteries in your smoke detectors...ALWAYS check/change once a year. 

I suggest you pick a month (depending where you live) right before you get....yes the dreaded "S" word...snow.  I choose September 11th every year because what better way to remind me of the importance of safety...it's my own "Homeland Security"

You wake up and it has snowed:

• You don't have a garage and your car is parked outside at night.  It snows.  Ready for this odd tip:  Turn your temperature to hot, turn on your air conditioner (fresh air option) and set it on defrost.  This will help remove any condensation from the interior of your windshield.
• Remove snow from your head and taillights.  Those are there for your safety and they won't help you if they are covered with snow.

You are driving on ice:

• For those of use who grew up with antilock breaks we learned to pump our breaks.  Now cars do it for us.  When you are sliding and you press your antilock breaks you will feel the brake system pump for you.  This only works if you "stomp" on the break and gradually ease up on the break.
• The dreaded "black ice."  Keep this in mind:  if it looks slick chances are it probably is.  It is better to be prepared for black ice and not have it than have it and not be ready.
• Know where you are driving.  You drive to work, school, store all the time.  Pay attention.  Know where the areas on these roads tend to be worse than others and avoid those areas. 
• If you do start to slide do not overturn.  Remember if you are sliding your tires do not have control so over turning will just face the car into the direction the tires are facing....which in a panic situation could be oncoming traffic.  Stay calm and don't overturn.  Slowly turn your wheels in the direction in which you want to go.
• If you have a four wheel drive....understand that your four wheel drive is no safer on the ice than any other vehicle.  Think about it...you slide because your tires do not have control.  All wheel drive, four wheel drive will often give the driver a sense of "security" which will often lead to an accident.

I know you don't want to think about icy roads, snow and what winter brings.  But every vehicle has someone in there that is loved.  When each of us drives safely than we are doing our part to keep loved ones with us.

Do you have any driving tips for ice and snow you would like to share?

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