Everyone knows that severe winter weather in Texas is fairly uncommon. Whenever the temperature drops below freezing and snow proceeds to fall, people tend to lose their minds. Just half an inch of snow will shut down schools and businesses for the day! With snow and ice in the upcoming forecast, we wanted to provide some helpful information on how to deal with driving in these nasty conditions. Here are five tips for driving in the ice and snow!
Always Be Prepared -Icy roads increase the risk of breakdowns and accidents. Due to this, it’s important to have supplies on deck in case you’re stuck out in the cold for a long period of time. An emergency kit during the winter should include: a flashlight, blankets, snacks, water, flares, ice scraper, shovel and a phone charger.
Navigating Hills – When approaching a hill or an inclined slope, make sure that you accelerating and gain momentum to carry you up. Try not to use the gas pedal as you climb the hill because it can cause your wheels to spin out in some instances. Once you’ve reached the top, lower your speed and descend the hill at a reduced pace.
Brake & Gas Pedals – Be sure to accelerate and decelerate at a slower rate than normal. This will allow your tires to gain traction easier which will prevent you from skidding. It also takes longer to slow down on icy roads, so ease on your brakes and take your time to stop when approaching a light or stop sign.
Turns & Skids – One of the main things you need to be on the lookout for is black ice, which is a thin coat of clear ice that appears glossy on certain parts of the road. If you ever find yourself skidding due to this hazard, be sure to steer your car in the direction you want to go and avoid hitting the brakes. Also, whenever you’re turning, make sure that you reduce your speed to avoid losing control on any icy surfaces.
Winterize Your Car – Make a note to replenish your car’s fluids and inspect it to see that the wiper blades, tire pressure, and battery are all functioning proficiently. You can also look into getting snow tires or placing chains around your existing tires to make navigating those icy roads a little easier!
With the New Year here, now is a great time to make sure that all of your insurance needs are up-to-date. Give us a call to have an agent review your policy to confirm that your auto insurance has the right amount of coverage for your family and your needs. We can also ensure that you are getting the best rate for your policy. You might even qualify for additional discounts, especially if you have your home insured through us!