Were you “dreaming of a white Christmas”? Now that the holiday is over, and you have to start driving back and forth to work every day again, all that snow and ice doesn’t look quite so inviting. Allstate Insurance has some safe Winter driving tips for you. Their advice could help you avoid an accident and an auto insurance claim.
Winter weather is serious! How extreme the weather will get depends on where you live. In California, I’m most likely to be dealing with a bit of rain. In many other parts of the country, however, people can expect to encounter snow, ice, and below zero temperatures.
This is the worst time of year to get into a car accident. Something a small as a “fender bender” is going to require both drivers involved to get out of their nice, warm, vehicles, and stand out in the cold while they exchange auto insurance information. There is the potential for frostbite to occur on exposed skin.
Are you Winter driving ready? Allstate has some advice that you can use to prepare your vehicle to face the winter weather, and also to prepare yourself for the skills that Winter driving requires.
Vehicle Maintenance Is Important
The last thing you want to have happen is for your car to break down somewhere when the temperature is below zero. Allstate suggests that you check your battery, lights, antifreeze, heater, defroster, belts, hoses, filters, oil, wipers, and breaks. Are all of them working as they should be? Does anything need a refill or a replacement?
Be Prepared
Every driver should have a supply of helpful items in their vehicle during the Winter. Think of these things as an emergency preparedness kit for your car. If you get stuck in a ditch, and have to wait to be found, you will be thankful you stocked up on these things!
Allstate suggests you put the following items into your vehicle: an ice scraper, a snow brush, a small shovel, tow chains, and jumper cables. You will also need a blanket, gloves, boots, and a supply of warm clothes to protect yourself from freezing temperatures.
Drive Safely
Allstate doesn’t want you to get into an accident this Winter. The insurer suggests that you press your gas pedal slowly when accelerating, in order to avoid skidding. Take your time, and slowly break for a stoplight. Remember that it will take longer to stop on an icy road.
Image by DaylightGambler on Flickr