According to all Chicago forecasts – winter is here! If you are driving in Chicago tonight or tomorrow, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be doing it in this season’s first real snow fall. So there’s no better time than right now to brush up on tips for driving safely in the snow so you can enjoy an uneventful ride wherever you go this weekend and this winter…
It is More Than Just Seeing, Be Seen
After a snow storm most drivers do an excellent job of removing snow from their windshield. This is obviously important so you can see the road ahead. However, don’t make the common mistake of overlooking removing snow from headlights, tail lights and brake lights. In addition to seeing clearly, you also need to be seen. On a day when it isn’t snowy verify your lights are in good working condition and the light covers are clear. Replace them if necessary. Then every time it does snow be sure to completely clear the snow so your bright lights are apparent to all other vehicles on the road.
Handle the Hills
You may think it is necessary to apply the gas when going up a hill. A little extra power is needed, right? No, on a snow-covered hill applying extra gas will cause your wheels to spin instead of giving you an extra boost. This may result in a car hitting you from behind as they are moving forward and you are spinning in place.
If possible avoid coming to stop on an uphill road. It will be very difficult to get going again. Instead you want to have inertia on the flat part of the road that takes you up the hill.
Recover From a Skid
Ideally you won’t lose control of your steering at all this winter. However, with icy roads and unexpected obstacles skidding is a possibility. It is wise to know how to recover if you face this situation. With a front wheel skid it is recommended that you ease off the gas and apply the brake gently. The car should regain traction. With a rear wheel skid you will feel like the back-end of the car is sliding to one side or the other. In this case braking will cause further issues. Therefore applying a little gas and causing the car to accelerate slightly will help you recover from the skid. At the same time steer in the direction of the skid.
Add Weight
Adding weight to your car may help you avoid getting into a skid. A rear-wheel-drive vehicle will benefit from having extra weight in the back of the car to increase the traction of the rear tires. Start out by putting a 20 pound bag of sand in the trunk. Drive around to verify that the added weight doesn’t lift up the front end of the car impacting the steering. After you have tested it out you can determine if more or less weight is needed for your particular vehicle. Having sand in your trunk will not only benefit your traction but may also come in handy if you get stuck.
Wear Sunglasses
Sounds crazy but it is recommended you make sure you have a pair of sunglasses in your car during the winter months. Although the number of daylight hours is less, when the sun is shining the glare off the white snow can be blinding. Having a pair of sunglasses will improve your ability to see the road and avoid colliding with another vehicle.
According to the US Department of Transportation there are over 200,000 snow and sleet related accidents every year. Avoid being a statistic this winter and drive safely. In addition to the above tips keep in mind that it is wise to travel below the speed limit when the weather conditions make the road slippery and the visibility low. For additional information or for help with commercial snow removal in Chicago, contact us.