Driving Safe on Wintery Roads

Winter weather is upon us, which is why Northeast MetroWest Insurance wants to remind you to drive safe with a few tips! Winter Roads are a huge safety risk for many drivers as icy and snowy roads develop throughout the colder months. Unfortunately, living in New England, you cannot avoid wintery highways, and as a result, over 116,000 people are injured each year in snowy conditions. 

That is an alarming number. However, we will provide tips and the best practices for staying safe on snowy roads. 

  1. Check Your Tires

Before you begin driving, check your tires thoroughly. Winter conditions can make the tire pressure drop quickly, so you’ll need to ensure your tires are filled to the recommended tire pressure. Instead of inflating your tires to the number listed on the face of the tire, consult your car’s manual for the correct tire pressure. The tire pressure is not the only part of the tire you check. Be sure to inspect for any damage, the condition of the tread, and if there are any bulges. 

  1. Smooth Driving

As you drive over icy roads, one of the most dangerous things you can do is move in a jerky fashion because fast movements can cause your tires to lose their grip and friction on the pavement, causing you to slide. Whenever possible, make slow, easy, and deliberate movements. If you make a wrong turn or begin to drift slowly, remain calm and make a slow adjustment. This is easier said than done but can make a life-saving difference. 

  1. Drive cautiously

You should always drive cautiously and defensively, but this is essential in icy conditions. To drive cautiously, you need to slow down, keep three car lengths between you and the car in front of you, and use your lights even in the daytime to help other drivers see you so you can see the road. We recommend never using cruise control in wintery conditions. Overall, you should never overestimate your vehicle’s ability and exercise caution if you feel uneasy about any roads. 

Bonus Tips

● In the unfortunate event that you start to skid, you should never look in the direction you’re skidding off. When you feel your car begin to slide, you need to look in the order you want to go, straight ahead down the road. It’s commonly agreed upon that you’ll almost always go in the order that you’re looking. 

● Don’t panic if your car skids for a moment. It’s bound to happen if you drive on icy roads often, so you should calmly take your foot off the accelerator, and when you’ve regained traction, you should gently turn in the direction you need to go. 

If you must go out in icy conditions, ensure that you do so with protection. At Northeast MetroWest Insurance, we have the coverage to make you feel secure even if an accident occurs. Be sure to look at our Automobile Insurance for more information.

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