Valley Snow Boot
Driving in the Winter
Driving in the winter causes less grip and less visibility and therefore - more collisions. However, keeping a few rules and details in mind can help go through the winter unharmed.
Preparation
Of course the proper posture is all important, but a special subject that recieves stress in winter driving conditions is clothing and footwear. Heavy coats are perhaps the best example of clothing that's restricting, makes you feel stuffy, and might even interfere with the function of the seatbelts. Take it off and use the heating to reach the temperature you want. Footwear is just as important: Just like driving barefoot or with flippers or heels in the summer is unsafe, driving with bulky boots or muddy soles in the winter is dangerous. Use snug-fit, thin-soled shoes for driving and keep a small rag in the car to wipe off the soles from any mud.
Tires recieve additional importance due to their ability to grip the road, as well as avoid hydroplaning. Proper inflation, rotation, visual inspection prior to any drive (as described in past articles is important) and the tread depth should be above four millimeters, for a purpose of safety. The tires should be new, younger than three to four years of age and under 45,000 miles. Also keep in mind that it's harder for the tires to reach their working temperature, so cold weather, even without any presence of water or snow, should be regarded as slippery.
If your country suffers from a heavy, cold, snowy winter, use snow tires. At the end of the winter, switch to summer or all-season tires. Never do it the other way around: Summer tires are bad during the winter even without actual snow (low temperatures disable the tire from reaching working temperature) and snow tires also function badly in dry, hot weather, going over their effective temperature and having a tendency to melt under heavy braking and increase the stopping distance.
Driving On Wet Roads
Where a given dry road surface will yield a coefficient of friction of 0.8, the same road would, when lightly wet, give a reading of 0.6. Lower quality tarmac, which seems smooth, will be even more slippery, and the more water or speed - the less is the grip. A wet road with a thick water film, smooth and shiny road surface and serious tire spray, the grip levels can be very low. Slow down so that you are able to stop well within the distance you see to be clear and keep three to four seconds of a following distance from the car in front.
Driving In First Rains
"First Rain" or "Run-off" is a phenomenon where a small rain shower sets the oils and dirt on the road afloat. The longer that the road has been dry, and the more traffic it hosts (especially heavy vehicles) and the slower the traffic - the more slippery it gets. For urban roads, a dry week could suffice in building up enough grease so that when a small rain shower falls it drops the grip levels to a coefficient of friction of about 0.4 or less. This is highly slippery. Look out for this whenever you see occasional wetness in summer times (usually due to nightly dew or morning mists), or in the winter when a small spell occurs after a dry week.
The main areas of danger are junctions, roundabouts, bus stops, busy roads, winding roads as well as any road where there is nearby presence of sand, dust or dirt (like roads that cross the desert or run in between fields). Slow down more and maintain at least four seconds of a following distance from the driver in front. Read the road surface in search of deep puddles, oily sheens or presence of mud (which can be as slippery as snow).
Driving In the Snow
Snow and Ice are even more slippery. Snow tires can help, and can increase the coefficient of friction from 0.20 on cold snow, to 0.35 with snow tires. The grip levels will remain low, so slow down and increase the following distance to 11 seconds. Ice is even more slippery, especially at around -7 degrees celsius. On snow and ice, always reconsider the need to drive. Must you go out to drive?
Driving In Heavy Winds
During heavy winds, try to avoid open roads, seaside roads, or areas of mountains or forests, where rocks or trees can fall on the road and prefer roads in valleys and low-ground areas. Grip the wheel tightly, especially when coming out to an open road from a "covered" section. Choose closed windows to prevent rotation of the car due to cross winds.
Driving In the Fog
Slow down to be able to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear. Use fog lights, slow down gradually and keep a window open to listen to other road users. Use the horn to alert other road users on your presence.
Puddles
Roads with a thick film of water or with puddles have reduced grip levels and increased risk of hydroplaning (or aquaplaning) where the car is set afloat over the water, leading to a loss of control. Reducing speed and increasing following distances are necessary. Deep puddles should be avoided where possible: They can hide unmelted ice, boulders, or simply be deeper than observed from the outside (although you can sometimes judge the depth by looking at the pavement besides or any other such reference point).
If not avoidable, slow down dramatically before the puddle (reduce speed and keep the brakes warm) while keeping some momentum going on and a light foot on the power (gas pedal) with straight steering before the pudddle. The water might generate resistance that will not be equall on both sides of the car, moving or rotating it slightly, but hold the wheel tightly and do not try to steer back straight. Get the car through the puddle, the force is not likely to divert you from the general direction of travel.
After exiting the puddle, tip the brake pedal mildly for a few times, so you can feel if it turned spongy from the water and. if it has, manage to dry it down by tapping the brakes a few more times. If you hydroplane, ease the throttle gently to allow the car to slow down. Don't go off of the power alltoghether, there will be enough water to create such a resistence where you can ease the throttle and allow the car to slow down without letting go of the pedal alltoghether. Keep the wheel straight and you will re-grip with a moment or two.
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