Automotive Journalist Leslie Hazelton Offers Tips to Make Your Winter Driving Safe
December 1996, Detroit, MI -- Winter driving on roads and highways can be a pleasant adventure or it can be frustrating, stressful and sometimes even hazardous. On behalf of the ABS education alliance, Leslie Hazleton, author of Everything Women Always Wanted to Know About Cars and Confessions of a Fast Woman, offers the following tips to help you make your holiday winter driving safe and pleasant.
Before heading out on your winter vacation, make sure your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, tires, heater and exhaust system are in top condition. It's also a good idea to keep the following items in your vehicle during the winter months:
- Blanket or sleeping bag
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Water and food (nonperishable items)
- Shovel
- Jumper cables
- Ice scraper, snow brush
- Tire chains
Once you have winterized your vehicle and packed your survival kit, check the weather conditions on your travel route, fill your gas tank and make sure you allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
Now that you are ready to hit the road, use the following tips to help you arrive safely:
Know your brakes. Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are one of the most important safety features on any car, especially in difficult winter driving conditions. Does your car have ABS? It's important to know what type of brakes you have because vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking systems require different braking techniques than those with conventional brakes.
Unlike conventional brakes which require drivers to pump the brakes to prevent skidding, anti-lock brakes do the pumping for you, so all you have to do is push down hard on the brake pedal and keep firm and continuous pressure on it -- even if you feel vibrations and hear a grinding noise, that means your ABS is in action. Also, remember to steer your car normally while keeping pressure on the brake pedal. For additional information and for a free brochure about anti-lock brakes, call toll free 800-ABS-8958.
Slow down and increase following distances. Snow and ice make stopping distances much longer, so keep your seat belt buckled and use extra caution when passing over bridges or shady spots.
Keep your windshield, windows, headlights and tail lights clean. If snow or salt build up while driving, stop at a safe turnout to use a snow brush or scraper. Use the car defroster and a clean cloth to keep the windows free of fog.
Be more observant. Because visibility is often limited in winter by weather conditions, slow down and watch for other vehicles and snow removal equipment.
On upgrades, keep far enough behind the vehicle ahead, so you won't have to slow down or stop. This will allow you to maneuver around obstacles and to gain a little extra speed at the bottom of the hill to give momentum that will help carry you over the top. At the hillcrest, reduce speed to a minimum, then descend in a low gear with as little braking as possible.
If your vehicle breaks down, don't panic. Pull as far off the road as possible and use common sense. Your greatest personal danger at this point is that of being hit by passing cars.
Always "brake and steer" when using anti-lock brakes. Don't pump the brake, with ABS all you have to do is "brake and steer."
For more tips on winter driving, call toll free 800-ABS-8958.
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