Driving in Snow? Learn How to Remain Safe at Barry Cullen Chevrolet

Winter driving is a challenging task, even for the most experienced drivers, mainly because slippery roads succumb to thick blankets of snow and unpredictable blizzards. With conditions like these, it becomes extremely tough to drive safely, so the experts at Barry Cullen Chevrolet have compiled a list of the top 10 safe winter driving tips that you can equip yourself with to drive confidently and navigate the challenging winter roads. Take a look! 

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Top 10 Winter Driving Safety Tips

Before you head out on the road during the winter months, keep the following expert-recommended winter driving tips in mind to ensure maximum safety and a smooth driving experience:

1. Put winter tires on your car at the beginning of the season to enjoy improved traction and control in icy, frost and snow conditions. Moreover, a good set of snow tires can decrease braking distances by as much as 25%
2. Before you leave home or workplace, always remember to check the weather forecast, to foresee what may come your way on the road. If you’re in Ontario, you can visit the Ontario 511 website to find out where plows are on the highways to ensure safe winter driving. 
3. Please clear off all the snow and moisture from your car’s windshield, windows, exterior lights and mirrors to ensure clear visibility on the road. 
4. Maintain more than the normal following distance ( at least three times more) when driving in winter to avoid potential collisions with nearby vehicles. Try to follow the previous tire tracks to enjoy improved traction. 
5. Please do not drive your car on cruise control, as this may cause you to lose control and reduce your reaction time in challenging situations. 
6. Avoid distractions, especially your phone, to make sure you pay attention to the road surface and maneuver your vehicle accordingly. 
7. Use the full lighting system of your vehicle, including headlights, taillights and DRLs, to see and let everyone see you clearly in the dull and dark winter road conditions. 
8. Be extremely careful when changing lanes in the snow or on winter roads. Signal properly and wait for other drivers to anticipate your action to avoid potential collisions/accidents. Please don’t steer instantly without signalling or alerting the nearby drivers. 
9. Please be gentle on your car’s braking system while driving in snow, as it may cause you to lose control and slip on winter terrain. 
10. Driving uphill or downhill in winter comes with its own safety concerns, such as gearing down and avoiding aggressive braking, to decrease your chances of sliding, so please follow these guidelines to remain safe and drive confidently. 

Visit Barry Cullen Chevrolet to Learn More 

Need more such tips or, in general, know more about winter preparedness? Please get in touch with the knowledgeable automobile professionals at Barry Cullen Chevrolet. Our dealership is located at 905 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph, Ontario, so please feel free to visit and meet our specialists. You can also call us at 519-824-0210 if you have any questions.