Winter Driving Safety Tips

Online, January 2, 2012 (Newswire.com) - At My Improv comedy defensive driving school online we know safe driving is no laughing matter. Especially when the weather is working against you.

The experts say the best advice for defensive driving when the weather turns bad is to stay home if you can, but the fact is most of us have jobs and responsibilities which force us out onto the roads during rain, snow sleet or hail. And many of us aren't even postman!

If you do have to go out driving when the weather turns bad it is best if you prepare yourself and your vehicle for the conditions you might face out on the roads. This doesn't have to involve putting on tire chains and adding a block heater to keep your engine from freezing solid. There are some very simple steps you can take before you hit the road this winter that will greatly increase your chances of arriving at your destination safe and sound instead of ending up in a ditch at the side of the highway.

1. Leave Early: Speed is the most common cause of vehicle crashes when the weather turns sour. Going too fast on the snow or ice when your tires have less traction is a recipe for disaster. Plan on at least doubling the amount of time it will take you to get to your destination during the winter months or any time the weather is bad. If you need to use your brakes remember your stopping distance will be much greater because of the poor road conditions, so don't follow too closely or wait until the last minute to attempt to slow down. Slower is safer.

2. Headlights: Clean your headlights and keep them on all day and night during the darker winter months. Studies have shown that in places where drivers must keep their headlights on during daytime hours the number of crashes has markedly decreased. This is even more true when the weather turns bad and visibility is diminished. Don't forget to turn them off when you stop, but remember to turn them on again when you are getting ready to go anywhere.

3. Don't Assume Anything: You might think that your four-wheel-drive SUV will blaze a trail through the ice and snow like it was a warm sunny day, but the fact it, they are just as likely to slide on the ice, get stuck in a snow drift or otherwise leave you stranded on the side of the highway as any other vehicle. The size of your vehicle is no guarantee it will handle better in the winter weather, so plan ahead, go slow and leave yourself plenty of time to arrive alive.

4. Pack An Emergency Kit: It's a good idea to make certain your spare tire is in good condition, keep a set of battery cables in your trunk; a set of flares, a warm blanket, a shovel and an ice scraper may also come in very handy, especially if you're snowbound.

Defensive driving during the long winter months is no accident. Stay home if you can, but if you can't, be safe, slow down and use caution no matter where you're going or when you need to get there.