10 Winter Driving Tips: Staying Safe on the Roads December 17th, 2024 • 5 min read Winter driving can be a daunting task. With ever-changing road conditions, it’s difficult to know what to expect. It can be particularly challenging as a new driver. Follow these 10 winter driving tips to stay safe on the road. Are you in Edmonton looking to book a road test? Contact us. 1. Check Weather Conditions Before you head out, check the weather to see if it will be icy, slushy, or wet. This can help you prepare for the road conditions and ensure you have the tools you need on hand. Don’t forget to keep extra washer fluid in your vehicle to avoid running out on a muddy day. 2. Get Your Vehicle Winter-ready Winter tires are your best defence against icy roads. It’s also important to be up-to-date on your vehicle’s maintenance schedule including oil changes and tire pressure checks. This can prevent dangerous breakdowns and issues on the road. You may also want to carry emergency supplies such as: Snowbrush Small shovel Booster cables Flashlight 3. Remove Snow and Ice From Your Vehicle Before you get in the driver’s seat, brush the snow and scrape the ice off your vehicle. This includes windows, roofs, and mirrors. This will improve your visibility and ensure you’re not sloughing snow at drivers behind you. 4. Take it Slow and Steady Avoid quick turns and abrupt stops to keep your vehicle stable. Maintaining a smooth and consistent pace can reduce the risk of drifting, fishtailing, and skidding. Drive slowly and with the flow of traffic to give yourself a better reaction time to unforeseen obstacles. 5. Keep Your Distance Stopping takes longer in icy conditions. To avoid collisions, don’t tailgate and give yourself plenty of room to stop. While a car length is recommended in regular conditions, increasing that to two or even three car lengths on icy roads is advised. 6. Slow Down for Turns Braking slightly before turning will help you avoid skidding and keep you in your lane. After you’ve completed the turn, accelerate moderately and smoothly to regain speed. While slowing, be aware of the vehicles around you; they may not be taking this extra precaution. 7. Learn to Control Skids Contrary to natural instinct, the best way to exit a skid is to steer into it and accelerate slightly. This will transfer the vehicle’s weight from the front to the rear, helping you regain control. 8. Turn on Your Headlights Having your headlights on at all times increases your visibility and allows other drivers to see you. Keep everyone around you safe by making yourself visible. 9. Don’t Use Cruise Control Cruise control can create a disastrous situation in wet or icy conditions. When skidding or hydroplaning, some vehicles automatically accelerate, causing you to lose control. 10. Avoid Pumping the Brakes Most vehicles are equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). While the inclination is to pump the brakes when sliding, this won’t activate the ABS. Instead, apply steady pressure to the brakes and let the ABS do its work. Book a Road Test With Registrations Are Us in Edmonton Winter driving can be scary, but with extra preparation and caution, it can be far less dangerous. By checking weather reports, equipping your vehicle with the tools you need, and driving cautiously, you can reduce your risk. Stay informed and practice these winter driving tips to keep yourself protected throughout the winter season. Stay safe, and contact us to book your road test.
