Winter weather can be just as unpredictable as it can be. Studies show that about 70% of winter deaths are due to snow or ice-related accidents. This makes it crucial to ensure safety on the roads when conditions become dangerous.
These tips are provided by Mark Cox, Bridgestone Winter Driving School director, and pro-race driver. They will help you get the best out of your vehicle when it is in snowy or icy conditions.
* Inspect your windshield wiper blades to make sure they’re working properly. Switch to snow blades if you live in areas where snow is heavy during winter.
* Before leaving your driveway, make sure your tires are properly inflated. Over- or under-inflating tires can decrease the gripping ability of tires, as the tread will not meet the road surface the way it was intended.
* Use dedicated snow and ice tires, like the Bridgestone Blizzak, when living in an area where adverse precipitation is a certainty. To increase road grip, snow and ice tires come with a special tread compound and a unique tread pattern. All four wheels should have snow tires, not just the driving ones.
* Kick the snow off of your shoes before getting into your vehicle. If snow melts, it can cause condensation and fogging in your windows.
* Avoid harsh use of your brakes while driving. If you have to stop your car in an emergency, make sure to press down on the brake pedal and keep it parallel to the ground.
* Never use your cell phone when driving -; even if you use a hands-free model when in the car. Driving through snow or ice requires you to be completely focused on your driving.
* As an extra precaution, it’s a good idea to store the name and telephone number of an emergency contact in your cell phone under the acronym “ICE”-; stands for “in case of emergency.”This will allow rescue personnel to locate friends and family members quickly during an emergency.