Tactical Driving Tips

The winter and driving shopping season is right around the corner. We need to remember that in the winter, with snow and freezing conditions, our driving tactics need to change. Accidents will occur on the snow and ice that wouldn’t on dry pavement. This article will cover the important things to remember and how to drive safely.

The most important thing that everyone needs to remember is
that you cannot stop as fast on icy or snow covered pavement.
You need to drive slower which will give you more time to slow
down. When you need to come to a stop anywhere give
yourself more time by starting to slow down earlier than usual.
When driving behind other vehicles make sure that you leave a
bigger distance between you and the vehicle in front. This way
you will have more time to slow down and also react to
unexpected stops.

Slow down everywhere and anything that you do. Take turns
slower, drive on straight roads slower and slow down alittle even on slight curves in the road. Anytime you have to turn that steering wheel ease of the gas appropiately. You need to be
deliberate in all your actions. Anytime that you need to push
on the pedals, gas or brake, do it easily and steady. When
making a turn ease that steering wheel slowly and don’t make
fast jerky movements.

Always be aware of your road conditions. Even when it is not
snowing the road will ice up in places where there is moisture.
This will happen more during the overnight hours when it is
colder and there is no sunlight. Sometimes a spot will look just
wet but is is actually ice, “black ice” as we know it. Be aware of bridges and overpasses. These road surfaces are always
colder and therefore freezes up first. If you do find yourself
on ice just coast, don’t brake or turn the wheel, until you pass
over it.

Drive defensively. Always be on the lookout for other motorists
that are making all of the mistakes. Approach intersections
cautiously looking for other skidding vehicles. Keep an eye
in your rear view mirror for vehicles hitting you from behind.
Keep enough distance away from everyone so you don’t
become part of their accident.

Even after taking all your precautions you will eventually find
yourself involved in a sliding situation. When you do, DON’T
PANIC! Take your foot of the gas and don’t hit the brakes.
You then want to steer your car into the skid. People always
hear that but don’t know what to do anyway. If you are driving
straight and the rear of your vehicle is sliding to the left and the front of the vehicle to the right, then you need to countersteer your car to the left. If the car corrects itself then straighten the wheel back out. Sometimes the car will over correct itself and now it is sliding the other way. If this happens just countersteer again in the opposite direction.

Follow these tips and hopefully you won’t become the next
accident statistic. Remember not to drink and drive, stay off
of your cell phone and always wear your seatbelt.