Safe Driving Tips

My wife started a solo road trip this week.  On the second day out she encountered heavy rain and the van started to hydroplane and fishtail.  The cautious and good driver that she is, she pulled over at the nearest gas station and waited out the storm.  Fortunately, the rain let up quickly and she was back on her way without any further incidents.

We know that the tires on the van are getting worn, and will need replacement soon. That is not an inexpensive proposition anymore, because modern technology dictates that all tires be replaced for best results.  Even if we choose not to replace all of them, at least two should be replaced at a time.

The tire problem reminded me that it is getting to be the time of year for me to once again publish some safe driving tips that I’ve learned through the years.  These might very well save your life or the lives of your loved ones, so feel free to share them.

I have a Youtube video to share with you, but I want to caution you up front that it is very graphic.  If you don’t care to watch accidents that obviously resulted in fatalities--no gore is actually shown--then please skip the video and go right to the tips below.

One thing the video makes very clear is that YOU MUST SLOW DOWN whenever you drive in wet, snowy or icy conditions.  Posted speed limits are intended to be observed in optimal driving conditions, but most of the vehicles in the video were being driven way too fast for conditions. On hazardous roads always slow down at least 10-15 miles per hour, and even more if visibility is poor.

There are other ways you can drive safer in winter conditions too.  For one thing, you should not use cruise control or drive in the overdrive gear, the one usually marked with a circled D, when roads are not dry.  Downshifting to a lower gear will accomplish two good things.  First, the gear ratio will be 1:1, which means you have much more control of your wheels.  You will also have the engine to actually help you with speed control and braking, so you won’t have to use the foot brake as much.

Downshifting on steep downgrades will help in the same ways as on wet pavement.  I’ve been on long 6% downgrades where I didn’t ever have to apply any brakes to maintain my optimum speed.  I could hear and feel the engine hold the speed where I started at the top of the grade.  I could also feel the tighter control on curves in the road on the hill.

In some states it is mandatory that you turn headlights on whenever you are using your windshield wipers.  It is always a good idea to do that even where it isn’t the law, as it makes your vehicle more visible to other drivers both oncoming and following.  And don’t use parking lights, put the headlights on for maximum visibility.

Finally, if you get into foggy or blowing snow conditions use headlights on low beam only.  Using the high beams will be more likely to decrease forward visibility.  If your vehicle is equipped with running lights on the front bumper that can be turned on independent of headlights, use them instead and your forward vision will be greatly improved.  You still need to slow down however, and if visibility gets too low, pull off the road completely trying to avoid using the shoulder. Go into a gas station or other parking area or you might make yourself a target for other traffic on the road.

Be safe out there this fall and winter…