|
Driving in winter can be a daily challenge for those who live in regions plagued by snow. The weather introduces a variety of hazards that drivers must overcome in addition to the usual driving troubles--snow, slush, ice, low visibility, etc. If you're not familiar with driving in winter conditions, this can be an extremely stressful situation for you. Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind if you have to travel during the winter. They should help to keep you safe while you're out on the roads. Slow Changes Sudden changes are the most common culprit for slide-offs and other accidents in winter weather. Remember to accelerate and decelerate slowly. Slow acceleration is the best way to gain sufficient traction, so don't try jumping out into traffic when there's snow or ice on the road. Wait until there is plenty of room so that you can slowly merge. When stopping at stop signs, stop lights, or in traffic, start breaking early so that you can slowly apply pressure to your brakes. It takes longer to stop on icy or slushy roads. Increase Following Distance In driver's ed, you likely learned that you should maintain a driving distance of 3 to 4 seconds. While this works fine for dry pavement, snow-covered roadways require a driving distance of 8 to 10 seconds. So remember to leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. As discussed above, you'll need plenty of time and space to brake on an icy road, should the car in front of you have to stop. Increase that driving distance to ensure you have enough time to stop; it just may help you avoid a collision. Know Your Brakes Familiarize yourself with your car's braking system, and make sure you have someone check your car brakes in Newark, NJ, at the beginning of the winter season. You need to make sure that they are in good working order and you know how to brake properly in icy weather to avoid sliding and other issues. Typically, the best way to brake is called "threshold braking." Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, consistent pressure to the brake. In some cases, it may also be a good idea to gently "pump" the brakes as you approach a stop in order to come to a stop more slowly. Handling Hills Going up and down hills can be treacherous in wintry conditions, so here are a few tips for handling snowy, hilly roads. First, don't try to gas it hard to get up a hill; stomping on that gas pedal is just a sure way to set your wheels to spinning. Instead, try gaining some momentum on a flat road as you approach the hill, then let the momentum carry you up to the top. Once you reach the crest, slow down and keep your speed as low as you can on the descent. Additionally, avoid stopping on a hill at all costs--going up or coming down. This can be extremely dangerous in winter. This is especially important for going up the hill. Trying to get moving from a complete stop on an icy hill can be almost impossible, so use momentum as much as possible to get up that hill. Remember, if the weather is bad and you don't have somewhere that you absolutely must be, try to avoid driving. The fewer cars that are out on the road, the fewer opportunities there are for accidents. And of course, always make sure that your car is well-maintained and have someone check your car brakes in Newark, NJ, to ensure they're in working order.
Related Articles -
car, brakes, newark, nj,
|
