Winter Driving

Winter Driving

Written by : Jeffrey R Hilton

Hey ! It's winter again, and that means driving on slippery and icy roads.  Just as in the summer there are dangerous and ignorant people behind the wheel that make winter driving equally or more dangerous.

SIGNALS

Many are guilty but what I often see is the more expensive the car the more highly the likelihood of the driver not to use signal indicators or use them only when they deem necessary, like maybe if a police car was behind them. I'm not sure if they think they are too good too signal or that only people with cheaper cars need to do that. What is that mentality ?

If everyone remembered to signal every time they turned or changed lanes there would be less accidents. it's that simple folks.

USE YOUR SIGNALS !

Don't make other drivers guess where you are going to go next.

If you put your signal on at the last second before making a turn, vehicles behind you are in danger of hitting you from behind.

Have a member of your family help you check that your signals work and fix them if they don't.

PAVEMENT PRINCESS

So you drive a pavement princess ? An SUV, Jeep, 4X4, All wheel drive, that never leaves the road ?  Yes with the correct tires and tire pressure, you will get a good grip on the road, but on ice, you are just as in danger of not stopping in time as any other vehicle if you are trying to drive at summer speeds and hope to stop.

SNOW COVERED WINDOWS

Oh and hey ! Don't be a lazy ass that endangers everyone around your bad driving habits.  Clean the bloody snow and ice off your vehicle before you set out.  You can also get a ticket for not having a clear unobstructed view.  Leave earlier to warm your vehicle up and have a clear window.  Always have extra window washing fluid on hand and keep it topped up. Don't wait until it's empty.

There is nothing more disturbing than having someone coming at you halfway into your lane because the ass piloting the car can't see where they are going. You are also endangering pedestrians by not being able to see the blind spots in your car as well as other drivers.

Oh sure ! slow down in the winter.But don't drive 10 miles an hour in the fast lane. move over so faster vehicles can pass safely.

HILLS

Hills ! Yes. If you are going to go uphill when the road is bad, don't keep putting your brakes on at the bottom so the car behind you has to as well, or you're both going to spin out without cresting the hill.  Get a move on and get up that hill.

GREEN LIGHTS!

Doesn't mean put the gas to the floor and spin until your gone.Ease into the takeoff gently without spinning your wheels. If more people practiced this then most intersections wouldn't be a constant skating rink of ice all winter.

GASSING UP ?

Shut your vehicle off.  Nobody wants to breathe your exhaust while they are trying to fill up their car.  Your car started to get there, it will start after you fill it up.  If you plan on travelling make sure you have all the necessities of  a winter emergency kit.  Hopefully you won't need it. But if you do.it could save lives and make you a lot more comfortable in an emergency situation.  This winter, be a role model for safe winter driving !

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DO HAVE A GOOD DAY AND ARRIVE SAFELY

JEFFREY R HILTON