When the sun is shining above and the roads are dry, keeping your vehicle controlled on the road is a relatively easy task. But it only takes a small amount of water or ice to change this.
It isn���t reasonable to expect all motorists to be accustomed to driving when the roads are slippery and the visibility is low. However, the reality is that during conditions such as these, small adjustments need to be made to the way you drive to improve your safety on the road.
Stay Safe During Wet Weather
If you are one of these drivers and you are interested in learning how you can become a better driving during poor weather conditions, below is a great post from K&K Oils and Lube which can help.
Brake Much Earlier
From the moment that you press down on the brake pedal, a range of factors determine how long it will take to slow and stop your vehicle, along with how controlled the stop will be. One of the biggest factors is the condition of the road you are traveling on. The smallest amount of water makes a huge difference to how quickly you can slow and stop.
If you are approaching a red light, don’t just slow down in the hopes that it will change to green by the time you reach it. If you do this and the light stays red, you risk not having enough time and space to stop safely. Even if your vehicle has ABS (anti-lock braking system), this tip applies to you.
You likely rely on the vehicle in front of you to gauge when you should begin braking. However, this isn’t foolproof. In addition to this, keep your eyes scanned for the vehicle in front of the one you are following, along with those beside you. If you notice these vehicles slowing down, do the same. This can help to ensure you are always traveling at a safe distance.
Be an Early Indicator
Whether you have driven on the road a million times or you are visiting a new area, each time that you want to change lanes or expect to turn a corner, indicate a few seconds earlier than you usually would.
This extra time and the additional flashes of your indicator light gives motorists around you more time to adjust their traveling speed and ensure they maintain a safe distance. While it may not seem like much, the additional time and space helps you to maneuver and keeps vehicles safer.
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Drive Your Vehicle Yourself
Driving over long distances, such as when you travel through the Christmas season, can become a little boring. This often leads drivers to utilize features such as cruise control. And while this can be a great benefit during good weather, when the weather is bad it can cause problems.
The problem comes when drivers switch on the feature and then remove their feet from the pedals, often also adjusting their driving position to something more comfortable and less attentive. With the roads being slippery and visibility being low, the extra seconds it takes to become attentive and return your feet to the pedals can be the difference between exchanging insurance details and a near miss.
Drive at a Safe Speed
Accidents on the road during bad weather aren’t necessarily caused by drivers who are speeding as much as drivers who are traveling faster than is safe. Just because the posted limit is 70 doesn’t mean that you have to match it. Instead, adjust your speed for the conditions.
If you are traveling to a family function this season, add an extra hour or so to the estimated traveling time provided by online mapping services to allow for periods where you won’t be able to travel at the posted speed.
If you are already on your way and bad weather strikes, be sure to call ahead to your destination and let them know that the weather is bad and you will be a little late. This takes the stress off during your travel so that you don’t feel like you need to make up any lost time or travel faster than is safe.
Help Your Vehicle Wake up on Cold Mornings with a Synthetic Oil Change in Clermont
If your vehicle struggled in the cold mornings, a synthetic oil change can help. Performing a synthetic oil change on your vehicle is something which any motorist can do quickly and easily. To learn more about the benefits or for help searching the online store for the right product for your engine needs, speak with a&professional at K&K Oils and Lube by calling (918) 269-0081.