Winter Driving Safety

When it’s time to put the beach towels away, the convertible in the garage, and start breaking out the snow shovels and the winter clothes, it means it’s also time to consider winter driving safety. After a wonderful long, hot summer, before we know it Old Man Winter is knocking on our door once again.

Along with the cold temperatures and the snowflakes comes changing the way we drive. Winter driving requires a lot more commute time to and from work, more distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, and ensuring your vehicle is ready for those harsh winter conditions.

Preparing your vehicle for the long upcoming winter months, should include checking to see if your wiper blades are strong enough to scrape off the snow and ice build- up on the wind-shield. Is there enough tread on those tires to give you the traction you will need? When was the last time you had a full coolant system check-up? Everyone should check to make sure their defrosters are functioning properly, and that all of the lights on your vehicle are working. Keep an emergency kit on your vehicle, in case you were to ever get stranded.

This kit should include:

  • Water;p enough for at least 3 days
  • Food that will not spoil; protein bars or trail mix are good examples
  • Blanket
  • Pair of socks and dry shoes

It is also a smart idea to try to keep enough fuel in your vehicle for two reasons, one to resist fuel line freeze-up, and two, to ensure you have enough fuel to keep your engine running and the heat on, if you were to get stranded.

Disclaimer: The information and suggestions contained in these safety talks are believed to be reliable. However, the authors of the topics and the owners of this web site accept no legal responsibility for the correctness, sufficiency, or completeness of such information or suggestions contained within these topics. These guidelines do not supercede local, state, or federal regulations and must not be construed as a substitute for, or legal interpretation of, any OSHA regulations.