Be prepared for winter with these important driving tips

Believe it or not but it won’t be long before New Haven turns into a winter wonderland. While the thought of white, fluffy snow might seem nice at this point, just wait until your first attempt at driving on slick roads with limited viability.

Before that day arrives, it’s important to freshen up on your winter driving skills. As we explained in a past article on our website, there are many things drivers should do to prepare for winter weather. Here is a brief overview of the tips we discussed:

Make sure your car is winter-ready.  Now is the time to make sure your car is functioning properly and all of your fluids including windshield washer, antifreeze and oil are filled. Also make sure your wiper blades, battery and headlights are functioning properly.

Keep your cellphone with you and charged. While you never want to use your cellphone while driving, it’s a good idea to have it with you when driving during the winter months in case you run into trouble and need to call for assistance.

Remember to reduce your speed. As soon as the first snowfall hits, make sure to reduce your speed and allow for extra time to get to where you need to go. Driving too fast for conditions is a common cause of winter car accidents.

Don’t follow too close behind other cars. During the winter, keep extra space between your car and the car ahead of you in case slippery roads cause you to skid. Following too close can easily cause a rear-end accident, for which you will be to blame.

These are just a few important driving tips to remember with winter fast approaching. Until then, enjoy driving without the added stress of snow and ice.