This Saved My Life – Plus Four Other Winter Driving Tips

Last year after a late spring snowstorm, I headed into town along Meridian road. Recently plowed, the road looked fine. Bam. My car hit an icy patch and started to skid.

Running COS Exterior Services means I drive to help clients year around. Dirty windows and clogged gutters don’t take time off, so neither do I. Below are five tips to make driving this winter safer.

Make A Winter Driving Kit

Staying safe on the road starts before you even leave the house. Make a winter driving kit with items like bottles of water, snacks, blankets, and a flashlight. Along with those things, also keep an ice scraper, a snow brush, and something to give you traction if your tires get stuck. Dirt or kitty litter will do. Sheknows.com has a comprehensive list – view it here –https://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/1059821/winter-driving-tips/.

A Maintained Car Is A Ready Car

Keeping your car maintained matters during winter. Things like having your battery checked or getting the brakes inspected will give you peace of mind. Also – when was the last time the wipers were changed? If it has been a while, put new windshield wipers on now. Speaking from experience, a snowstorm is not the ideal time to realize that you should have replaced them sooner. The last thing to do is check your tire pressure and add some air if needed.

Always Keep Your Gas Tank A Quarter Filled or Above

If you run out of gas when the temps are at or below freezing, it can be deadly. To avoid this, never let your gas tank get below a quarter tank. If you live further out from the city, such as in Peyton or Calhan, consider upping that recommendation to half a tank. Quick tip – while filling up, make it a habit to look over your tires. Doing so helps spot any problems, such as nails being stuck or low tire pressure.

Drive To The Conditions

Whether it’s in Colorado or elsewhere, the key to driving safely is by adjusting how we drive to what is happening outside. Go slower when the weather is worse and allow more stopping distance between your car and the ones ahead. Also, look carefully before driving through intersections. Another driver might be barrelling through because they couldn’t stop.

If You Start To Skid, Do This

First, stay calm. Second, look and steer where you want to go.

Looking where you want to go is about the only advice I remembered from a driving instructor back in high school and it saved my life last year during that skid. Idrivesafely.com has a great article that goes much deeper into what to do when your car starts to skid. For that great article, go to https://www.idrivesafely.com/defensive-driving/trending/ice-water-what-do-when-you-skid-road.

There are still places to go during this season and getting there can be easier with these tips. To recap: make a winter kit to stow in your car, ensure that basic auto maintenance is done, keep that gas level at a quarter tank, and drive to the conditions. I hope these suggestions will help you get wherever you need to go, safely.