Winter driving tips

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Story Published: Dec 4, 2007 at 10:06 AM PDT

Story Updated: Dec 4, 2007 at 10:17 AM PDT

By Jenni Hogan

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We’ve been hearing that we may start to see snow on our commute. It’s time to refresh our best winter driving skills.

Below are some good tips from the WSDOT:
  • Drive with your headlights on
  • Ice and Snow, take it Slow, Drive for conditions. Don't get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It won't help you stop any faster.
  • Drivers should allow additional room between their vehicles and others. Winter road conditions often result in longer stopping distances.
  • Avoid abrupt actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing control of the vehicle.
  • Look farther ahead in traffic. Action by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra time to react.
  • Avoid using cruise control or overdrive. Don't let your car make a bad decision for you.
  • Stopping on snow and ice without skidding requires extra time and distance. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don't have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.
State Trooper Jeff Merrill’s number one tip is to practice threshold braking. You can do this anytime when you’re driving your car. Practice braking to the point just before your wheel comes to a complete stop. Once you get used to doing this, you should try to do this anytime you’re in a panic situation, rather than slamming on your brakes. That’s when your car can spin out.

This method of braking applies to vehicles not equipped with anti lock brakes. It the vehicle has anti lock brakes the vehicles computer system with automatic do it for you. This system allows you to brake and steer simultaneously.

 

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