You might know before you get in the car that a challenging drive is ahead of you. But sometimes bad weather pops up while you’re on the road. That’s why it’s a good idea to have your car ready. Be sure your battery, wipers, tires, and headlights are in working order. And, as always, buckle up!
How Can I Handle Tough Conditions?
Rain, snow, ice, fog, and sun glare can make it hard to drive. When road conditions are bad:
- Stay focused. Keep both hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road, and your mind focused on driving.
- Turn your headlights on to help you see and be seen. If you’re using your windshield wipers, many states require you to keep your headlights on anyway.
- Increase your following distance. Leave extra space between you and the car in front of you. It will give you more time to brake in case you need to come to a stop.
- Slow down. Braking takes longer on slippery roads. When you slow down, you give yourself more time to see and react to hazards.
- Be careful near intersections. Even when you have a green light, don't assume that an intersection will be clear. Always look for other cars, pedestrians, bikers, and the unexpected.
- Stay in one lane as much as possible. Avoid lane changes if you can.
Safe Driving in the Snow
It helps to get comfortable with the basics of driving in the snow — starting, stopping, and turning. Try to practice these skills in a snowy, vacant parking lot. Know that it takes longer to brake and turn in the snow, and that bridges and overpasses freeze before roads do. Slow down, and accelerate and brake gradually.
Before you head out, get your car ready to go. Fill up your gas tank. Always brush snow off the car, including the roof, taillights, and headlights. And when you get on your way, keep your distance from snowplows and sand trucks, and avoid passing them if you can.
Safe Driving in the Rain
If a storm hits while you're driving and it gets hard to see, pull over and wait until it passes. Stay in your car to avoid lightning strikes.
Water on the road can make tires lose their traction. This is called hydroplaning. To prevent your car from hydroplaning, make sure your tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread. Look out for standing or running water and try to avoid it. Reduce your speed and take curves and turns extra slowly.
If your car does hydroplane, don't panic or slam on the brakes. Instead, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and hold it straight. Lift your foot off the gas and let your car coast until you feel it get traction again.
If a road is flooded or you see standing water, turn around and don’t go through it.
Safe Driving in Other Weather Conditions
In the bright sun, use your car's pop-down visor to reduce glare. And keep a pair of UV sunglasses ready to put on.
Fog makes it hard to see ahead of you, so slow down. If your car has fog lights, use them to help you see the edges of the road. But don’t use your high beams when it’s foggy because they won’t help.
What Should I Put in My Car's Emergency Kit?
Keeping an emergency kit in your car will give you some peace of mind. It should have:
- a first-aid kit
- a phone charger
- jumper cables
- a flashlight and extra batteries
- an ice scraper and a snow brush
- a bag of sand, salt, or cat litter (for traction if you get stuck in snow)
- emergency warning flares or triangles
- blankets
- gloves or mittens
- bottled water and nonperishable food
- a cup in case you need to melt snow for water