For drivers in the Upper Midwest , traveling during the winter can graze from slightly unsettling to deadly . Between 2011 and 2015 , harmonise to data point from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Auto Insurance Center , an fair of800 fatalitiesoccurred each year as a effect of conditions - relate accident . Icy route , poor visibility , and other factors can make cold - weather commuting a dicey proposition .
While we ca n’t control the weather ( yet ) , we can increase our odds of navigating slush - filled roadway successfully . Mental Floss spoke with American Automobile Association ( AAA ) driving pedagogy expert William Van Tassel , Ph.D. , for some key tips on how to get your winter driving in gear .
1. GATHER SUPPLIES.
Before you even start your car up for a tripper through inclement weather , Van Tassel recommends you pile a bad - slip scenario trunk full of supplies . “ In lawsuit of emergency , you require things on dining table like water , a blanket , a flashlight , glove , and kitty litter , ” he says . ( That last one is for traction in lawsuit you get adhere in a snow bank . ) You should also have road flair , a shovelful , an ice scraper , and a fully - rouse electric cell phone to call for aid if needed .
2. SLOW DOWN.
Posted fastness boundary sign take on you ’re driving on clear and clean roadways . If snow or meth has amass , you require to adjust your speed consequently . “ In slick atmospheric condition , tires miss a draw of traction , ” Van Tassel says . “ You should be cutting your speed down by half or more . ” alas , a draw of people learn this the hard way . “ After a blizzard , we ’ll see more crashes on sidereal day one than Day two or three . ”
Van Tassel also admonish to avoid becoming overconfident on snow tyre . While they provide good grip in bad conditions , it ’s not license to accelerate up .
3. MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE FROM OTHER CARS.
You should be doing this regardless , but unsound weather make it even more crucial . Keep your vehicle at a safe space from cars behind , in front , and off to the side , as well as away from footer or cyclists . If you need to brake suddenly , you need time — and infinite — to keep off a collision . “ You really want more space in front , ” Van Tassel says . attempt to stick between seven and 10 seconds behind the fomite onwards . That means seeing a landmark and thencounting downuntil you pass the same mark . If you ’re only a few seconds behind , you ’re too close .
4. DON’T STEER INTO SKIDS.
“ That was an former normal of thumb , ” Van Tassel says . “ The trouble is , by the time I remember to steer into a slip , I ’m already in a ditch . ” If you feel your vehicle sliding , it ’s good to steer in the focal point you want to go . “ You ’ll drive where you look , so do n’t look at a telephone perch . ”
To avail sustain control of the car , you want to focalize on doing one thing at a time . “ If you ’re get through a turning , brake , finish up braking , then change by reversal . Do n’t bracken and turn at the same meter . ”
5. KEEP YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON.
Yep , even in wide daylight . Bad weather restrain visibility , and headlights allow both you and your fellow machine driver to orient a vehicle . “ You ’re doubly as seeable to other driver that way , ” Van Tassel suppose . “ When people can see you , they can avoid you . ”
Van Tassel also recommends that drivers avoid rely on fancy car technology to keep them safe . While blind spot monitoring and lane changing sensors are useful , they ’re not there so you’re able to zone out . “ The tech is there to back you up if you need it . labour the car , but do n’t rely on those thing , ” he says .
