Some people love to drive their cars. They get a feeling of being alive and of exhilaration when they head down the road. Of course it helps if the car you are driving has significant horsepower and the roads are open. If you also have beautiful scenery around you like say in the country of Ireland, it adds even more to the experience.
But we must remember that driving a car is a privilege and not a right that must be taken seriously, so that you and others on the road can be safe. In a country like Ireland where winter can bring rain, fog and snow, serious driving is a requirement. This does not mean that you cannot look for exhilaration on the road, only that you need to be cautious and follow these winter driving tips.
Take Extra Precautions
Winter roads are much more difficult to drive on than the roads during other seasons because the weather during winter can take many forms and also can quickly change. For this reason you need to take some precautions when driving in winter.
Conditions like snow, ice, fog, and rain will all happen in winter and sometimes in the dame day. Because of such extreme conditions you need to do the following:
Make Sure Your Insurance is Paid Up
There are many more accidents in winter than in any other season because of the weather conditions. Make sure if you are a winter driver that you are insured with a good car insurance carrier. Consider what type of coverage you need based on your auto and the road conditions where you live.
Have Your Car Serviced
Getting your car serviced which should include checking your anti-freeze, brakes, battery, lights, windscreen and wipers, and tyres, insures that your car is in great shape for winter driving. It also means that you are much less likely to be stranded somewhere in a malfunctioning automobile. One of the worst things that can happen is to be stuck in a car that will not start when there is a snowstorm.
Increase Your Stopping Distances
When the weather conditions are anything but ideal, you need to allow for more time to stop your vehicle. Whether it is foggy and your vision is diminished or rain, ice or snow has caused the roads to be slick, having additional time to slow or stop can save lives. You should add at least another 50% to your topping distance during the winter to be safest.
Turn Your Headlights Lights On
Headlights are not just for nighttime driving, they are also for use when road conditions limit your visibility. It is a safe precaution to turn on your headlights at the sign of any fog, ice, snow or rain. This precaution is both so you can see better and so that other drivers can see your automobile.
Slow Down
During the winter months you should slow your average speed. Icy roads can be hard to spot and once your car is sliding, it is very difficult to regain control. You should assume that the roads will be slick and in these conditions the right approach is to slow your speed considerably. In terms of the right speed, you should drive at the speed where you have full control of your automobile. Do not feel ashamed if this is half of your normal speed. If you need to go into the slow lane do it to keep you and other drivers safe.
Winter driving can be very safe if you take the proper precautions and do these things on the road.