8 Tips To Driving Safely In The Winter

Happy THURSDAY! I know we usually have beauty-related content on Thursdays, but today I felt like I needed to share something else really important this winter season: safe driving. This winter, we are expected to have a wetter-than-average season, which means more inclement weather and hazardous driving conditions. It’s dangerous for everyone, because even if you are an expert driver, you can’t control those around you. It’s really important for ALL of us to be informed on how to drive safely when experiences bad weather. Let’s dive into this.

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8 Tips To Driving Safely In The Winter

There are few things you can do that ARE in your control while you are driving during bad weather, and to be honest, we are ALL lying if we say that we do every single one of these things while we drive. Now is the time to refresh your driving skills and habits.

ONE: Have your car serviced regularly, and make sure you do a quick check before leaving the house. 

If you ask my husband if I am good at getting my tires rotated, my oil changed or consistently putting gas in my car….the answer would be less than ideal. BUT I am trying to be better especially during the winter. One thing you want to check during the winter is tire pressure because as it gets colder, your tires lose air and it can make it dangerous while driving. Also, it’s a good idea to make sure that you keep over 1/3 of a tank of gas in your car at all time because the cold weather can affect your gas tank if you don’t have enough gas in it.

TWO: Don’t rush it.

Give yourself extra time to get somewhere because winter weather means more accidents. There is always a chance you will get stuck behind a car crash for who knows how long. But not only that, you want to make sure that you aren’t speeding in inclement weather. If the ground is wet or icy, you want to drive slower than you normally would anyways, which will automatically add some time to your trip.

THREE: Keep your cool.

If you’ve ever been in a situation in which your car has hit a patch or rain or ice and slid, you know how terrifying that feeling of losing control is. First things first: DO NOT slam on your breaks. Angle your car the direction you are wanting to go, and release your foot off the accelerator until you are able to regain control of your car.

FOUR: Stay alert and get off your phone.

This SHOULD be a no-brainer but it still is a problem. When the weather is bad, it’s obviously time to pay the most attention to the road. Don’t look over at the radio, don’t look down at your phone. Make sure your map apps are talking out loud to you so you don’t need to look at them if you travel using GPS. You can avoid accidents by watching the road.

FIVE: Keep an emergency kit in your car.

You should always have an emergency kit in your car while driving, but especially in the winter. I go into details on what you need in one HERE. These are important because if you are stranded in the middle of nowhere waiting for help, you may need some of the things you packed to stay safe and warm. 

SIX: Keep a safe driving distance away from other cars.

On a GOOD day, tailgating is risky. It decreases the amount of reaction time you need to stop to avoid an accident. If the roads are slick, you need to have even more space between you and the car in front of you. When the roads are wet, cars will slide if you press the break which can add even more time to the amount you need to stop your car without hitting the car in front of you. Play it safe and leave lots of extra room when you can.

SEVEN: Know when to put your lights on.

Even if it isn’t dark outside, there are still times you need to have your lights on. Be sure to turn on your headlights when the sun sets or when driving through adverse weather conditions, like rain, sleet, snow and fog.

EIGHT: Download Drivewise.

This is a totally free app that helps provide personalized, real-time feedback on your driving. It will tell you things like how many hard-breaking episodes or speeding events you have that can help make you aware of how you drive and aid in you becoming a better driver.

PIN THIS FOR LATER:

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I hope this help my newer drivers figure out how to drive safely this winter and my veteran drivers just refresh their winter driving skills. It’s so important to know the best ways to drive in inclement weather to keep yourself safe.

What are some ways you drive safely during the winter? Let me know in the comments below!

* Drivewise is optional. Subject to terms, conditions and availability. Smartphone required. Savings based on driving behavior and may vary by state. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. 2775 Sanders Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062. (C) 2018 Allstate Insurance Company

This post was written as part of the Allstate Influencer Program and sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are mine. As the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, Allstate is dedicated not only to protecting what matters most–but to guiding people to live the Good Life, every day.