These 5 Winter Driving Tips Could Save Your Life
Michigan drivers deal with snow and ice every winter but still, it seems like when the snow starts flying people freak out and forget how to drive.
According to Michigan.Gov During the 2016 to 2020 winter seasons, there were 202,232 crashes reported in Michigan on icy, snowy, or slushy roads, resulting in 370 fatalities and 2,530 suspected serious injuries.
These Winter Driving Tips Could Save Your Life
There are a lot of things that you can't control when driving but these winter driving tips could help you avoid a crash and possibly save your life.
Drive Slow On Ice And Snow
This seems like something right out of "Driving In Winter For Dummies Book" but most winter driving crashes are caused by drivers going too fast for the roadway conditions.
Michigan.Gov offers up the following tips.
- Slow down and allow more room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. It can take up to ten times longer to stop in Ice and Snow.
- Put your turn signal on sooner than you would in warm weather months. It takes longer for the cars behind you to react and stop.
Is A Vehicle With Four Wheel Drive Safer On Ice And Snow?
Having a vehicle with four-wheel drive (4WD) is great when it comes to accelerating and is less likely to slip compared to a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) vehicle. But However, FWD, AWD, and 4WD vehicles are just as difficult to stop and turn on wintry roads as RWD vehicles so you should slow down to be safe.
5 DO's And DON'TS For Winter Driving In Michigan
DO STEER INTO A SKIDIf your vehicle begins to skid, first take your foot off the accelerator. Then steer in the same direction the rear of your car is sliding. If the rear end of your car is swinging to the right, turn your steering wheel to the right.
DO WORK ON YOUR ABSWith an antilock braking system (ABS), when your car skids and you step on the brakes, you may feel a pulsing sensation. This is normal, don't let up on the brakes! ABS will prevent your wheels from locking during a skid, giving you greater steering control.
DO KEEP THE LOW BEAMS ONIf you’re driving in snow, rain, or fog, reduce reflective glare by putting your headlights on the low beams.
DON'T MAKE ANY SUDDEN MOVESAccelerate and brake smoothly and gradually don't stomp on the brake or gas pedal
DON'T USE CRUISE CONTROLUsing cruise control on ice and snow can be dangerous. If your car skids, the cruise control will accelerate to maintain a constant speed spinning your wheels even faster and increasing the chance you will lose control of your vehicle.
You can get even more winter driving tips and advice by clicking here
