During the winter season, it’s important to keep an eye out when driving in winter weather such as freezing rain, snow and sleet. There are several driving tips to keep in mind when you encounter this type of weather.
1. You will likely have poor visibility when driving in winter weather, so it’s imperative that you slow down your vehicle speed. You’ll also want to increase your following distance to at least 4 seconds or more, and look at least 12 seconds ahead. This will give you time to react if you are approaching a hazardous situation ahead of you.
2. Watch out for other drivers when driving in these adverse conditions. Many drivers will not slow down and they won’t realize they are in a dangerous situation until it’s too late.
3. You’ll need extra time to stop when approaching a stop sign or a red light. Start braking early and gradually as you approach to avoid sliding.
4. Expect other drivers to make mistakes and be prepared for those.
It’s important to follow these steps when driving in winter weather or any adverse road conditions. We teach these defensive driving techniques in all of our classes in our driving schools located in Johnson County, Wichita, Topeka and Manhattan.