Winter driving in Washington can be stressful due to slick, icy roads. If you must drive this holiday season, take precautions by preparing your vehicle (and yourself) for safe winter driving. These tips from Western Insurance Associates of Spokane, WA can help you drive safely during the winter holidays.
Winterize Your Vehicle
Winterize your vehicle in preparation for cold weather driving by checking the following:
- Battery – An old battery could easily give out during freezing temperatures, leaving you stranded by the side of the road. If your battery is old, buy a new one to ensure you don’t lose power in the middle of a storm.
- Tires – Like previous tip, upgrade old, worn tires by purchasing a set of quality all-weather or winter tires for cold weather driving. Check your tire pressure regularly during winter as pressure tends to drop in cold weather.
- Windshield Wipers – Make sure your wipers are working correctly and can clear snow from the windshield, so you have visibility while driving.
- Emergency Kit – Keep a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle at all times in case you get stranded.
Winter Driving Tips
- Always check the weather forecast before hitting the road. If conditions look bad, avoid driving. Your safety is more important than holiday partying.
- Share all travel plans with a friend or relative, so someone knows where to find you if you get lost or stranded.
- Drive slower during winter for greater control on icy roads. Make gentler turns and stops and increase the distance between you and the driver you’re following to avoid a crash if they brake suddenly. If you start to skid, steer into the skid to make it easier to correct your position once you have regained traction.
It’s also important to have excellent auto insurance protection against holiday accidents. To update your auto insurance coverage, call or visit Western Insurance Associates in Spokane, WA.
