Safe Winter Driving Checklist
Published
There is nothing better than spending time with family during the holiday season. Driving far distances to visit family is a common occurrence during this time of the year. However, due to the weather and heavy traffic, it is important to be extra careful and take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe arrival to your destination. Here are a few items you should address regarding your vehicle before you hit the road this holiday. Download our complete check list at the bottom of this article!
Replace
your Windshield Wipers
During the winter months,
particularly in regions that experience heavy snow fall, working windshield
wipers could be the difference between arriving safely and not arriving at all.
Bad weather conditions contribute to almost 20% of all auto accidents and
poor visibility is a common culprit. Driving in heavy snow, sleet or rain is
often hard even with effective windshield wipers, let alone ones that are dried
and cracked. Before you set off this holiday season, make sure you
replace your windshield wipers or at the very least buy a backup pair to have
on hand. Like our mother's always said "better safe than sorry!"
Brake
Pads
Next to windshield
wipers, brake pads are the second more important item to check before
leaving the house on a long car ride. Adverse weather will put additional
demands on your brakes. While total brake system failure is
relatively rare, accounting for less than 5% of accidents, poor brake pads can
make it hard to stop quickly. Throw in slick road conditions and impatient
drivers and you have a recipe for disaster. Bad weather, poor functioning
brakes and distracted drivers is all it takes for a fender bender to turn
into a pile up. Don't put a dent in your holiday travel plans and risk the
safety of your family. Before the weather gets too harsh, it is a
good idea to have your brake pads checked. If your pads are worn out, then
replacing them is vital in order to stay safe during winter travel.
Aside from required oil changes, it is a common practice to preform regular service check-ups on your car. Service check-up frequency varies from car to car. You can read over your car manual to find the recommended amount. Even if you have had your car serviced with in the last six months, traveling long distances is nothing to joke about. Depending on the region you are traveling through, long distances can wreak havoc on your vehicle, especially those with 200,000 miles or more. Before doing any serious traveling this winter, take your vehicle in to have the oil, tire pressure, antifreeze, and anything else checked that could affect your travel. Nothing ruins the holiday spirit more than braking down on an unfamiliar highway in the dead of winter.
Be
Prepared For an Emergency
Not all travel safety tips for
the winter involve your car. Because of the cold temperatures and potentially
dangerous weather, it is important to be prepared for any emergency situation.
Along with your luggage, be sure purchase a roadside safety kit and pack extra
water, snacks, blankets, flashlights, and anything else that could come in
handy during an emergency. In addition, map out your route
beforehand and let a friend or family member know your plans.
