The winter time is tricky for many reasons. Although it is the time of year when bells begin to ring, festive decorations line the streets and there’s nothing better than snuggling up with a hot chocolate, it can also be a hard time for many. The darker evenings and cold weather can make people feel blue and limit their exercise opportunities - and in light of the coronavirus crisis that rocked our world this year, the winter might be made harder still.
Nevertheless, it isn’t all doom and gloom! One way of combating the winter blues is to take a trip. This could be a road trip across the country, or even just a day trip to somewhere outdoors, where you can feel the wind in your hair and have a refreshing time. Driving in the winter comes with some safety issues, though, and in this blog you will find out how to fix up your car for winter, making it safer to drive in winter weather.
What Are The Biggest Safety Concerns When Driving In Winter?
The biggest concerns of winter driving all have to do with the weather. The weather in winter turns some roads, particularly in more rural areas, into potentially dangerous driving spots. This is because frozen water in the form of either snow or ice can make the roads slippery, causing cars to skid and even crash.
In addition, winter can bring about poor visibility for drivers. Fog, snow and heavy rain are all more difficult to drive in than the clear blue skies of summer. Statistically, there are more collisions in the winter than the summer, due to the fact that the weather causes hazardous circumstances. If you are in an accident this winter, make sure to access friendly and helpful car accident lawyers after the fact, so you get the compensation you need.
How do you reduce the risk of a winter car crash? Here’s how to fix up your car for winter in three simple steps.
- Replace Your Tires
Your tires are the difference between skidding on the road and driving safely. Your tires provide your car with a connection to the earth on which it drives; the more friction they can create, the less likely your car is to skid. If you haven’t had your tires replaced in some time, then this step is even more crucial; worn down tires will have little grip on the road.
When looking for the right type of tires for winter driving, check in with your autobody shop for their recommendation. Ideal tires for snow usually have a rougher, more varied exterior which provides the tire with grip on the road.
- Stock Up On De-Freeze Equipment
Making sure your car is damaged as little by ice and snow as possible by stocking up on de-freeze equipment. If you live in an area that sees especially harsh winters, stocking up on items such as antifreeze, glass-safe ice scrapers, windshield protectors and snow chains is an ideal way to prepare your car for the winter months. Make sure to keep these away from children and use them with care.
- Alter Your Driving Style
This step isn’t as much about fixing up your car as it is fixing up your own behavior! We all form driving habits that affect how our car runs, as well as affecting the safety of our driving. Here are some alterations to make to your driving style in the winter.
- Take corners more slowly. It’s tempting to swing into corners when you are driving on familiar roads and rushing to be somewhere. Nevertheless, taking corners too quickly can make you lose control of the car if you hit a patch of ice. Slowing down around corners prepares you for any slipperiness that you encounter.
- Leave more time for each journey. This means leaving an extra five or ten minutes early in the morning, to warm up your car and make sure your windshield is totally clear before you set off. It is tempting to drive with poor visibility in the winter, however, as you can imagine, this is highly dangerous. Leave more time so you aren’t forced to drive with an icy windshield.
- Make sure to use your headlights. Even during the daytime, having your headlights on is very important in the winter. Dreary, foggy days require as much visibility as possible so don’t skip this step!
Overall, driving in the winter shouldn’t be a worrying experience; with the right preparation, you’ll have a smooth journey through the winter months this year!
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