Step 1: Prep your vehicle for Winter
- Add Winter tires for greater traction control in snowy or icy conditions.
- Keep a snow brush/scraper in your car, along with possible emergency items such as a shovel, battery jumper cables, and a flashlight.
- Make sure that mirrors, windows, and the top of your vehicle, are free of snow or frost before getting onto the road.
Step 2: Drive smoothly and slowly
- Don’t turn or stop abruptly when driving. Doing so will often cause your vehicle to lose control and skid.
- Driving too fast is the main cause of winter accidents. Be sure to drive slowly and carefully on snow and ice covered roads.
Step 3: Don’t tailgate.
- Stopping takes much longer on snowy and icy roads than on dry pavement, so be sure to leave enough room between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
Step 4: Slow down before making turns.
- Brake slowly to reduce speed before entering turns. Once you have rounded the corner you can accelerate again.
Step 5: Learn how to control skids.
- When skidding, you actually need to go against your natural instincts and turn into the skid and accelerate. Doing so transfers your vehicle’s weight from the front to the rear and often helps vehicles to regain control.
Step 6: Lights On.
- Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
Step 7: No Cruise Control.
- Never use cruise control if conditions are snowy, icy, or wet, because if your car hydroplanes, your car will try to accelerate and you may lose control of your vehicle.
Step 8: Don’t “pump” the brakes.
- If your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), do not “pump” the brakes. Apply constant pressure and let the system do its work.
Step 9: Pay attention.
- Manoeuvres are more difficult to make in the snow. Be sure to anticipate what your next move is going to be to give yourself lots of room for turns and stopping.
