Cold Weather Safety Tips for Drivers

Fall Auto Safety Checkup

Your vehicle fall checkup should include all fluids (especially antifreeze), tires, wheel alignment, brakes, lights, belts, hoses and battery life expectancy.

You should also check your spare tire's air pressure, and make sure you have a blanket and auto emergency kit with flashlight in your trunk.

Winter driving calls for adjustment to our driving patterns to fit the season. In cold climates, visibility is reduced and the road surface is often slippery or snowcovered during the winter months.

Motorists can increase their safety by:

• Improving visibility by turning on headlights in the late afternoon before the sun begins to set. Always use low-beam headlights in fog, rain or snow.
• Signaling for a turn well in advance.
• Clearing all snow and ice from windows, roof, hood, trunk, mirrors, lights and signal lamps.
• Observing speed limits and reducing speed whenever road conditions or visibility are compromised by foul weather.
• Avoiding sudden starts, stops and hard turns, especially when roads are slippery or wet.
• Using the proper braking technique and pressure for the vehicle. Cars with anti-lock brakes require a steady, gradual application of pressure to the brake pedal. Cars without anti-lock brakes may need firm pressure on the brake pedal just short of wheel lockup, and then easing off the brake slightly before reapplying pressure. Never brake hard.
• Anticipate and avoid potential danger on the road, such as icy bridges, snow-covered lane markings or stalled cars by slowing your speed, increasing the distance between the vehicle in front of you, or changing lanes to avoid trouble.