Tips For Safe Driving in Snowy Hazards

Smart drivers recognize the dangers posed by driving in snow. Some drivers are even intimidated by snowy conditions. Even though not all drivers routinely face snowy conditions, every driver should know how to navigate around in the snow. Every driver, even those in areas that seldom see snow, should know some basic safety tips about driving in the snow.

First, prepare for snow driving in advance.

No matter what weather conditions you expect to experience where you live, take time to learn techniques for driving in snow. If you live in a high snow climate, invest the time and money in a snow driving class. Such classes are usually priced in the $300 range, but your insurance company will probably give you a significant discount for having completed the class.

Second, check your tires.

Tires with legal tread and with proper inflation are essential to snow driving. Remember, a tire that was inflated in the July heat will be under-inflated in the January snow (because hot air is more expansive than cold air). Under-inflated tires will not grip the road as well as properly inflated tires. If you expect significant snow over a longer period, consider getting snow tires or snow chains for a quicker, cheaper and less enduring solution (especially in very extreme conditions).

Third, drive slower.

When it's snowy, slow down. Roads will become slick very quickly. Driving at faster speeds will give you less time to react. Excessive speed (which means driving at normal or near normal speeds) is the number one driving error and cause of accidents in snowy and icy conditions.

Fourth, create gaps between yourself and other cars.

Leave significantly more distance between you and the cars in front of you. Normal driving conditions in the city require two car lengths between cars, but snowy conditions require four car lengths. Give yourself plenty of time to see what is happening in front of your car.

Fifth, be aware of car's handling in the snow.

Know where your automobile's weight is located. For pickup trucks, the bulk of the weight is in the front of the vehicle. This means that the rear end has little weight and that the back tires are likely to spin out of control. Rear wheel drive cars tend to spin their back tires also, although front wheel drive cars do the opposite.

Sixth, avoid "target fixation."

Driving in snow will result in skidding, but skidding does not have to result in an accident. When your car begins to skid, you will probably be tempted to fixate on some object in front of you. This "target fixation" will cause you to think only about the impending impact and not about how to avoid that impact. Avoid this fixation by actively taking control of your thought processes and making decisions about taking actions to prevent the impact. Think about accident avoidance instead of the impending impact.

Finally, practice snow driving in safe locations.

Driving in the snow is a learned skill. The best way to perfect this skill is practice. Find an empty parking lot or other safe spot and practice handling your car in the snow. There's no substitute for practice in your car under safe conditions.


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