Winter is here, and all drivers of cars and trucks, experienced or beginners, should take a moment to revise these ten top tips for winter driving safety from the Montreal driving school known for being expert in winter driving, Access Driving School.
Sure, it’s great to have all that electronic and technical backup, but you are the brains behind the wheel – act like it!
Get your winter tires on as soon as there is bad weather in the air – if not sooner. Once the temperature drops to less than 7 degrees, then you should have those tires in place. And don’t forget to allow for longer stopping distances in bad weather.
Take a moment to scrape ice off windows and wing mirrors, allow the vehicle to warm up before you set off, making sure your visibility all round is good. Remember to clear off accumulated snow from the roof too.
It’s dangerous to mix up the kinds of tires you are using, and nothing is more likely to result in a slip and slide kind of accident.
Make sure you have emergency supplies in your trunk – a spade, blankets, water and a few high energy rations, flashlight, a scraper, extra warm clothes, a first aid kit, books to while away the time if you get stranded – what you put is going to depend on the type of driving you do.
Make sure that you always keep your gas tank at least half full. Remember to check your windscreen washer bottle, and add winter fluid to the usual water.
Sorry to keep on about tires but they are the single thing that stands between you and plenty of danger. If you can see that a tire needs replacing, or even if it’s getting close to needing replacing – change it!
Tires need a little extra pressure as the temperature drops. Make sure you check pressure on a regular basis, especially when the temperatures really start to plummet.
Make sure you have a working cell phone with you, and a charger, and plenty of credit. It is your life line in the case of problems.
Make sure that you have your seat belt secure no matter if you are simply moving your vehicle around on the drive at home. Pay extra attention to all aspects of driving safety, and be alert! Access Driving in Montreal offers useful refresher lessons in winter driving.
Finally, leading experts in winter safety, Montreal driving school Access Driving, suggests that you ensure that you vehicle has been serviced before the hard weather sets in. Maybe the service interval isn’t for another few hundred miles. Don’t wait – get the service in early, and keep the service schedule up all through the winter.
