Healthy Habits: Winter Driving

We've been lucky this winter in Minnesota - it hasn't been nearly as crazy as last year, as far as snow is concerned. So overall, the roads have been much better. However, we have had a few snowstorms, bringing with them slushy or icy roads that make driving a little slower and more difficult.

Safe driving is important - for you and your passengers, and for everyone on the road. A sudden break or swerve can be compounded in the winter to cause spin-outs for you, or for people behind you as they try to stop suddenly as well. And that can create traffic backups for everyone in the commute.

Esurance has some tips for winter driving and you can also visit the Esurance Facebook page for more information and tips. Here are the ones I find the most valuable, along with some of my own hints.

1) Tailor your driving to the road conditions. Different weather creates different issues, whether it's rain that freezes as it hits the road, freezing rain, blinding snow, light snow that becomes slushy, hail, or fog.
2) Have a winter car kit. This should include a blanket and some non-perishable food in case you're stranded, sand or kitty litter to provide traction if you end up in the ditch, a shovel, a flashlight, water (it takes more energy for your body to eat snow than drink water), and a first aid kit.
3) Drive more slowly than normal. This should be common sense, but it doesn't seem to stick with most people. Of course, you don't have to drive so slowly that you are only coasting. Not only does that infuriate other drivers, but it also can impede your own progress (for example, if you don't have any momentum going up a slick hill).
4) Take alternate routes. If your normal route has a stop sign on a downhill, avoid it, since it'll be harder to stop.
5) If your car has anti-lock brakes, let the car do the work if you start to slide. If not, release and then re-apply pressure until you start to skid again, then repeat.
6) If you find yourself skidding, turn into the direction of your skid to help pull out of it.
7) Avoid other distracting behaviors while driving. You shouldn't be doing things like talking on your cell phone or putting on makeup while driving anyway, but it's even more important to avoid these behaviors in the winter with bad weather.



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