With winter still not over, knowing how to survive the hazards in what's left of winter could make your spring and summer more enjoyable.
by PD McCloud
It never fails, after the first few snowstorms in a winter season, people tend to feel like they can handle anything. After all, they've weathered the season so far. It's even more important to know how to survive the rest of the hazards that you will face driving.
This winter season has shown us some pretty intense winter weather. The Northwest has seen record snowfall. The Northern Plains have been pummelled with bitter cold temps and icy roads. The Mid-West and Northeast has weathered through heavy lake-effect snowfall. Even Florida and South Carolina has experienced the wrath of Mother Nature with snowfall and below averate temps for the first time in many years.
If you've made it through the first half of the winter season without incident, congratulations! You've done well. But, it's the seond half of the season that worries me most. Many drivers who have made it through the first half un-scathed found a sense of confidence in thier ability to traverse bad weather. Some of those drivers will exhibit over-confidence. Those are the ones we should be concerned with.
As spring approaches, weather conditions can, and do, change in a moments notice. Here are a few tips to make sure you know how to survive the rest of the winter season:
Remember that black ice is almost invisible, especially at night. Slow down! Running the speed limit is not always the best policy during the transition between winter and spring.
Take your foot off the accelerator just before crossing over a bridge, then slowly place your foot on the accelerator to maintain a steady pull on your trailer as you cross the overpass. The road may look dry but that bridge could be icier than you may know.
Keep in mind that you've survived the winter, thus far. Others have too but may now feel emboldened by thier survival. Keep a close eye on all traffic approaching you, front, sides and from behind you. Use the 8 second rule, scan your mirrors at least every 8 seconds. Doing so will also enable you to get a panaramic view of what's around you.
Know your own comfort zone. If at any time you begin to feel a little edgy, or find you're tightening your grip on the steering wheel, you've probably passed through your comfort zone. Find a safe place to park until conditions improve.
Take breaks often. Get out of your vehicle and stretch. Let the cold winter's air invigorate new life into your tired body. Don't let the time left on your clock get in the way of you reaching your destination safely.
Knowing how to survive the final days, weeks and months of a winter season will enable you to move into spring and summer with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that you've weathered another winter without wrecking your vehicle, or worse, being injured.
For more information on how to survive winter driving, click here.
Read the full article
by PD McCloud
It never fails, after the first few snowstorms in a winter season, people tend to feel like they can handle anything. After all, they've weathered the season so far. It's even more important to know how to survive the rest of the hazards that you will face driving.
This winter season has shown us some pretty intense winter weather. The Northwest has seen record snowfall. The Northern Plains have been pummelled with bitter cold temps and icy roads. The Mid-West and Northeast has weathered through heavy lake-effect snowfall. Even Florida and South Carolina has experienced the wrath of Mother Nature with snowfall and below averate temps for the first time in many years.
If you've made it through the first half of the winter season without incident, congratulations! You've done well. But, it's the seond half of the season that worries me most. Many drivers who have made it through the first half un-scathed found a sense of confidence in thier ability to traverse bad weather. Some of those drivers will exhibit over-confidence. Those are the ones we should be concerned with.
As spring approaches, weather conditions can, and do, change in a moments notice. Here are a few tips to make sure you know how to survive the rest of the winter season:
Remember that black ice is almost invisible, especially at night. Slow down! Running the speed limit is not always the best policy during the transition between winter and spring.
Take your foot off the accelerator just before crossing over a bridge, then slowly place your foot on the accelerator to maintain a steady pull on your trailer as you cross the overpass. The road may look dry but that bridge could be icier than you may know.
Keep in mind that you've survived the winter, thus far. Others have too but may now feel emboldened by thier survival. Keep a close eye on all traffic approaching you, front, sides and from behind you. Use the 8 second rule, scan your mirrors at least every 8 seconds. Doing so will also enable you to get a panaramic view of what's around you.
Know your own comfort zone. If at any time you begin to feel a little edgy, or find you're tightening your grip on the steering wheel, you've probably passed through your comfort zone. Find a safe place to park until conditions improve.
Take breaks often. Get out of your vehicle and stretch. Let the cold winter's air invigorate new life into your tired body. Don't let the time left on your clock get in the way of you reaching your destination safely.
Knowing how to survive the final days, weeks and months of a winter season will enable you to move into spring and summer with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that you've weathered another winter without wrecking your vehicle, or worse, being injured.
For more information on how to survive winter driving, click here.
Read the full article
