Driving in snow? Prepare, slow down or don’t leave home

Driving in snow and other bad weather isn’t easy. Particularly when it’s cold outside, precautions are necessary to ensure your safety. Snow and ice, heavy storms, strong winds and tornadoes can cause car accidents within minutes.

In short, driving during the winter can be a dangerous with snow and sleet particularly troublesome and cause of many inclement weather accidents.

But adhering to safe driving practice practices specific to inclement can help.

Here are some tips and must-dos to help ensure safe driving in poor weather conditions.

What Are Some Basic Warning Signs?

It is important to be particularly aware of these warning signs while driving in poor weather conditions: Icy and slippery road fog and puddle-laden streets.

Avoid Driving In Snow

There’s never a good time to drive in the snow, but certain times are safer than others. You’ll have to ask yourself, “What is a car suspension?” If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere where it rarely snows or not at all, then you can likely drive every day.

However, in some areas, road maintenance crews put salt on roads to help with traction.

Keep Your Car or Truck Warm When Driving It In The Snow

Without taking precautions in cold driving conditions, it’s easy to get frostbite. It can lead to permanent skin tissue and nerve damage.

One way the prevent getting frostbite is to keep your vehicle warm. Make sure your vehicle is well insulated and has a working heater.

Use 4-Wheel Drive If Driving In Snow

Snow and ice  can wreak havoc on your car. Using four-wheel drive is preferred. But If you don’t have a 4-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle, it’s still possible to drive safe if proper precautions are taken.

Driving slowly and carefully in snow and icy conditions are recommended. It increases a driver’s chance to reaction allows a vehicle to advance with increased risks of skidding or driving off the road. It’s particularly important to reduce driving speeds on mountain roads, which often have undulating conditions and “blind” corners.

Check Vehicle Fluids And Tire Pressure

Maintain proper fuel, oil and other engine lubricant levels. Likewise, also make sure your vehicle’s tire pressure is key by following the manufacturer’s specifications.

Maintaining proper engine levels is tantamount to the proper use of the vehicles and it will reduce the charges of a breakdown, a potentially dangerous occurrence in winter driving conditions.

Check Tire Wear

Driving with tires in proper condition can save money and make the difference between life and death. Tires need replacing if the tread is worn to less than 1/16th of an inch; has grooves or cuts or has cracks or bulges on the sidewall.

Always Have a Shovel When Driving in Snow

If you’re driving in snowy weather, always carry a shovel in your trunk in case of an emergency in snowy road conditions.

Content provided by The Weekly Driver News Service and additional news sources.