Despite the gorgeous weather in many regions this weekend, spring is not yet officially upon us. With a few weeks of winter remaining, owners of used vehicles in New Jersey and New York should know that the majority of cars accidents occur when the weather is at its worst.
Knowing how to drive during the winter months is not an innate ability – it is an acquired skill. With a few helpful tips, we can all safely get through the final weeks of March and the inevitable last few snowstorms.
The best advice for driving in poor winter weather conditions is to avoid it if possible. Waiting until the snow plows and sand trucks have done their job will drastically reduce your chances of getting into an accident.
If you must drive in snowy or icy conditions, always make sure that you are well prepared. In any conditions, but especially when it is snowing, it is recommended to carry an emergency winter car kit, which should include a flashlight, first aid supplies, a fully charged cell phone, basic tools and road flares or a reflective triangle, according to Road and Travel Magazine. Other recommended items include warm clothes, jumper cables, an ice scrapper as well as carpet strips, sand or kitty litter for traction.
Meanwhile, when driving, leave plenty of room between your car and the vehicle in front of you. Experts recommend that you allow for at least four car lengths between yourself and other vehicles on the road for every 10 miles per hour.
Furthermore, make sure to brake before you enter a turn. You always want to slow down and then accelerate out of a corner to increase traction. Applying the brake while making a turn will force you to lose grip and control of your car.
Finally, if you do find yourself skidding out of control, you need to go against your natural tendencies, says Jerry Pearl, general manager of the Bridgestone Winter Driving School at Steamboat Springs, Colorado, according to Edmunds.com.
“Turn into the skid,” he adds. “You also need to accelerate – people don’t think about accelerating to control the car.”
Simply releasing the brake and gently accelerating while turning into the skid can help you regain control your vehicle. At that point, slow down and turn back into the road.