Click
Here
for more articles |
|
|
How
to Stay Safe While Driving this Winter |
by:
ARA |
(ARA)
- Slick roadways. Ice-encrusted windshields.
Limited visibility from snowfall. These
typical scenarios are why many cringe at
the thought of winter driving.
"Even experienced drivers can find their
nerves and skills tested when the snow starts
to fall and ice forms on the roads," says
Dawn Duffy of AAA Motor Club. "Winter driving
conditions can be treacherous."
Jamie Anderson of Minnetonka, Minn., a suburb
of Minneapolis, knows that firsthand. Last
year, while heading north on Interstate
35 during a snowstorm, he hit a patch of
ice and slid off the road.
"It was snowing at the time and visibility
wasn't great, so I was driving well below
the speed limit with my windshield wipers
going," Anderson said. "I had seen other
cars spin out a few miles back, but never
thought it would happen to me."
Even if you are driving very carefully --
like Anderson was -- accidents can happen.
Here are some safety tips for winter driving
from AAA:
* Clear all snow and ice from windows, roof,
hood, trunk, mirrors, lights and signals
before leaving your driveway.
* Once in transit, observe all speed limits
and reduce speed whenever road conditions
or visibility are compromised by foul weather.
Keep in mind, speed limits posted are for
ideal driving conditions. When driving in
inclement weather, slow down.
* Avoid sudden starts, stops and hard turns,
especially when roads are slippery or wet.
* Improve visibility by turning on headlights
in the late afternoon before the sun begins
to set.
* Anticipate potential danger on the road,
such as icy bridges, snow-covered lane markings
or stalled cars, by decreasing speed, increasing
the distance between the vehicle in front
of you or changing lanes to avoid trouble.
* If you haven't done it already, refill
your windshield wiper reservoir and replace
your windshield wipers.
"There are few situations more annoying
to drivers than having to deal with visibility
problems associated with worn or ineffective
wiper blades," said Jay Burkhart, vice president
of marketing at Federal-Mogul Corporation.
He advises drivers to replace their blades
well before winter with a set of ANCO Premium
Winter Blades, which are designed with a
rugged rubber cover over a heavy-duty frame
for strength against extreme weather conditions.
Anderson was lucky. Even though his car
initially got stuck in a snow bank, his
vehicle has four-wheel drive so he was able
to get out; but Duffy advises all winter
drivers to have emergency supplies on hand
just in case they get stuck. These supplies
should include a cell phone, flashlight
with extra batteries, blankets, sleeping
bags, matches, extra set of mittens, canned
fruits and nuts, bottle opener, water, sack
of sand, shovel and first aid kit.
"For longer trips, especially, make sure
people know where you're going, when you
plan to get there, and what route you'll
be taking, just in case something does go
wrong," Duffy says. "That's not just in
the wintertime, but any time of the year."
For more information about ANCO wiper blades,
go to www.federal-mogul.com/anco or inquire
at your local retail auto parts store or
repair shop.
Courtesy of ARA Content
About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content
Circulated by Bandoni
Media
|
|
