Before you go, be sure, be safe, and be vigilant
Winter weather often arrives at the least opportune times. For most of us, you can’t just stop driving because there is snow on the ground. This makes it important to drive cautiously and be prepared. Driving during winter is often difficult to master, especially if you learned to drive in an area without snow or ice.
Although it is not easy to transition from summer driving to icy, snowy, conditions, there are a few things that you can do to stay prepared and keep safe on the roads.
Before you go:
- Make sure your tires are prepared for the cold temperatures. All-season tires are a great choice because they are designed to handle a variety of road conditions such as dry roads, wet roads, and in many cases, light snow. However, the all-season tires can harden in low temperatures, resulting in less traction. Winter tires are designed specifically to perform in winter conditions like low temperatures, ice, slush, and snow. These tires use special compounds that stay pliable in the cold, giving them better grip and improved braking, even in extreme conditions.
- Replace your summer wiper blades with winter blades that are either wrapped in rubber/plastic or a solid plastic blade to prevent ice buildup. This will help your visibility and allow your wiper blades to function as intended.
- Winter driving training like the CSD Pool’s partner First Gear Skid School will help you or your district’s employees improve their winter driving skills through the utilization of a SKIDCAR. More information about First Gear Skid School can be found on at firstgearskidschool.com.
Inspect your vehicle:
- Make sure that all of the snow is off your vehicle and your windows are free of ice and fog, which can prevent you from seeing your surroundings. Last winter, several CSD members drove their vehicles without making sure their windows were clear. They collided with parked cars and even caused some property damage.
- Just because your tires were inflated when you parked your vehicle doesn’t mean that they will remain that way due to temperature fluctuations. Complete a walk-around to ensure they are properly inflated. Newer vehicles monitor this for you, but don’t rely solely on your vehicle’s monitoring system.
As you go:
- Look out for the person next to you. Colorado natives or people who have lived in Colorado for a long time tend to have a little bit of experience driving in winter conditions, but others might not have the same experience. Know when other cars are around you, and use your mirrors to look out for reckless drivers.
- When leaving a stop light or intersection accelerate slowly to prevent your wheel from slipping.
- When you come to a stop sign, ensure you have plenty of stopping distance and keep an eye in your rear-view mirror just in case the person coming up behind you does not take that same type of caution.
- Check the weather before you hit the road so that you have a good idea what kind of driving conditions to expect.
- When traveling down steep hills like mountain passes, downshift your transmission so you are not constantly using your brakes. This may cause excess heat that could damage your braking systems.
Driving in the winter can be treacherous. Be prepared and remember to pay attention to your surroundings. Keep an eye on road conditions before you travel and ensure your vehicles are ready for winter driving. If you have not started training your employees for winter, driving now is the time to start giving them reminders about what could be lurking around the next turn.
