by Diane Callahan

Created on: December 20, 2008

We all loved winter when we were kids because it usually meant days off from school, sledding, snowball fights and other fun activities. However, as adults who now have to drive snowy, hazardous roads, winter can seem a lot less fun. The best advice is to not drive at all during bad weather, but that isn't realistic for most people. So here are some tips to remember when you absolutely must go out in the middle of a snowstorm.

Get a complete set of snow tires. This is the single most important thing to do if you live in an area that gets a lot of snow. It is amazing how many people don't take this simple step. Tires made especially for snow have unique tread patterns that are designed to grip the road and resist snow accumulation. Summer tires are fine when it comes to rain, but in snowy conditions their treads could get packed with snow and become treacherous.

If you don't have the benefit of a garage and your car is covered in snow, before heading out make sure you've cleaned off the snow as well as you can. Invest in a good snow brush get all the accumulated snow off the roof, as it can slide down the front and back and impede your view while driving. Make sure you have cleared off all snow from your windshield and around your wipers. You will be sorry if your wipers get packed with ice and don't do their job properly. A good trick to remember: if your car is parked in an area without shelter and a storm is in the forecast, lift up your windshield wipers from the glass; this will avoid the possible damage done by peeling them up from under the accumulated snow.

Go slow! Again, this seems so obvious and yet there are people who think they are invincible. Just because you are driving an SUV doesn't mean the laws of science don't apply to you. Keep your speed at around 20 mph and use a low gear. Impatient drivers can go around you if they dare. It is the impatient driver who will cause an accident every time.

Keep to the main roads. If you are accustomed to taking "back roads" in order to avoid traffic, remember that those secondary roads are not plowed as quickly or as often, so it is more likely you will spin out or have an accident. It is safer to sit in traffic congestion and inch along rather than risk driving hazardous roads that haven't been cleared properly.

Finally, be courteous to other drivers. You are not the only person on the road; everyone is in the same boat. Driving on the shoulder in order to beat the traffic or blocking an intersection to keep your place in line is not only dangerous, it's just plain stupid (and that applies no matter the road conditions).

Whatever the weather conditions you always have to rely on the drivers around you to have the same safety concerns, but doing your part will definitely reduce your troubles when driving in the winter.

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