Safe Driving in Slippery Conditions

Safe driving is important throughout the year, but during the winter months special consideration is needed to stay safe on the roads. When the snow and ice come, the road becomes a slippery, slushy mess. A good driver will make adjustments in order to keep safe. The following tips will help minimize the dangers of the winter road.

• Drive slowly and wear a seat belt, as always. 
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Start slow and keep it steady. Give yourself extra time to make a stop.
• Leave more distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you than you normally would. 
• Don’t stop if you don’t have to. If you’re coming up on a red light, try to slow down enough that it turns green before you get to it. 
• Don’t power up hills. Try to pick up speed before you start the climb and use your inertia to make it up. 
• Don’t stop while going up a hill. You may find it very hard to get going again. 
• Most important – if you don’t have to go out, stay home. Even if you’re a great winter driver, there will be others on the road who are not. Also, it is much easier for those who are out plowing and salting to do their job if they have the road to themselves.