Driving in Snow in New Jersey: 9 Driving Tips to Stay Safe

Driving on snow and ice-covered roads can be tricky, even if you are a good driver and have a winter- prepared vehicle. With snow and ice comes less traction, making it harder to move, steer, and stop. The winter months also bring less light and unfavorable weather, which makes visibility challenging. Many crashes happen during the winter, which is why we have decided to make a list to help you get to your destination safely. These 12 driving tips will help you conquer the winter roads. 

 

Continue reading to discover the 12 tips to drive safely in the snow. 

 

Tip #1: Prepare Your Car

Safe driving in the winter should start before you hit the road. Before the weather starts getting unfavorable, you should prepare your car for the season. Make sure your vehicle can handle the challenging weather. Start with checking the condition of your tires. Make sure they have ample tread to handle snow and have the right pressure. As the weather gets cold, the amount of pressure in your tires goes down, so make sure to check them. 

It’s also always a good idea to keep your gas tank at least half full. You might get stuck in traffic and don’t want to run out of gas, especially if you are in a rural area (which New Jersey has plenty of). Make sure you have your emergency supplies as well (that you might’ve taken out of your car during the summer) because things such as tire chains, an emergency kit, and ice scraper will be vital during winter driving. 

 

Tip #2: Think About All Season Tires

Not every car or driver needs winter tires. But, if you live in an area of New Jersey where snow, ice, or freezing temperatures are common, all season tires can be worth the investment. All season tires are designed to maintain traction where other tires might not be able to. Even though all-season tires will help in the winter, they work better when they are new. They are made to maximize grip in cold, snowy, or icy conditions. They can even help grip when the weather is freezing. So think about getting them if this sounds like something you live with every winter. 

 

This next tip is a big one, so keep reading to discover it!

 

Tip #3: Bring an Emergency Kit

As we stated before, it’s essential to have your emergency supplies handy during the winter, and this includes your emergency kit. In bad weather, even short drives can last for hours, so it’s a good idea to prepare yourself for long trips. Being prepared is always a good idea. 

 

To see what your emergency kit should include, check out our blog post on 10 Must-Have Items  For Your Winter Emergency Kit.

 

Tip #4: Plan Your Drive

Plan your drive to avoid areas that might be congested or might feature dangerous places to drive, like steep hills or big curves. You want to have a path you know will be plowed, de-iced, or sanded. Be sure to have your phone charged in case of an emergency or have a charger in the car. Let someone know your plans and your route, as well as your arrival time. Remember, focused driving is especially necessary for winter. Once you get behind the wheel, put your phone away and have 100% concentration on your driving. 

 

Tip #5: Drive Slowly and Actively

You’ll want to drive carefully and slowly during the winter. Don’t accelerate or brake as often to not exceed your tire’s ability to grip the road. Anticipate stops, corners and hills early, so you can adjust your momentum. Plan for slow, wide turns as well to not have your car slide off the road. Make sure you only brake and accelerate in a straight line and only steer if you’re not braking or accelerating. This gives your tires one thing to do and reduces the chance of skidding or sliding. 

When driving in snow or ice, it is better to brake early, not often. You also want to leave more space between you and the car ahead of you. This is to ensure you have enough space to brake early and smoothly and maintain car control. Slamming on the brakes in slick conditions can cause your car to skid uncontrollably. 

 

This next tip is uncommon, so keep reading to read all about it. 

 

Tip #6: Don’t Use Cruise Control or Rely on Four Wheel Drive

Never use cruise control or semi-autonomous driving systems during the winter. Snowstorms will block sensors, and road markers necessary for cruise control and staying alert during winter driving is safer. Four-wheel drive is not a guarantee of absolute safety and should also not be heavily relied on. It is great to get you moving when the roads are icy and perform better than two-wheel drive vehicles in the winter, but will not prevent you from getting in an accident. Vehicles with four-wheel drive are heavier than front or rear-wheel drive ones, meaning they can carry more momentum and might get you into deeper snow, so use it with caution.

 

Tip #7: Clear Your Windshield

Before driving in winter conditions, you should always clear your vision. This means clearing snow and ice from all windows and windshield, as well as the roof. Driving a vehicle with snow or ice-covered windows is not only dangerous but illegal in some places. Snow on a car’s roof can slide down the windshield when you stop or blow into others’ windshields, so make sure you clear it, it only takes a couple of minutes. Always keep a good ice scraper or snow brush in your car to be able to do this important cleanup. 

You should also make sure you clear your headlights and taillights so they can both be seen. The rearview camera is also an important one (if you have one) so you can safely back up. With de-icing chemicals and salt road spray, your windshield will need even more cleaning. That’s why it’s important to fill your windshield washer reservoir with a winter mix of cleaner, as well as changing the wiper blades if necessary. This freeze-resistant mixture could be the difference between a clear windshield and a scratched up, crusty one. 

 

Make sure to always follow this next tip!

 

Tip #8: Check Your Tailpipe

Before starting your drive on a snowy day, make sure you check your car’s tailpipe. It must be clear of snow or ice since it being clogged can cause deadly carbon monoxide to seep into your cabin. Breathing this odorless gas can be fatal in enclosed spaces, so be careful. 

If you find yourself stuck in the snow, it is critical that you always keep a window slightly cracked while you wait for help, no matter the temperature. Your tailpipe could be clogged, and it could be a fatal mistake not to crack the window open. It is also very easy to damage your exhaust as you drive over ice or because of road salt. Even if your tailpipe is clear, a damaged exhaust system can feed carbon monoxide into your cabin, so make sure to check it. 

 

Tip #9: Winter Technology

Newer vehicles have winter technology that can help you when you’re in a bind. Every new car comes with anti-lock brakes, traction control, and stability control to help you stop or keep moving wherever you want to go. 

Some new cars even come with snow mode, where you can select the proper gear to get you moving out of a snowbank without spinning the tires. There are even some with winter mode that controls transmission, traction, braking, all-wheel drive, and throttle, to help you get and maintain grip. 

 

These handy winter driving tips, from winter tires to windshield cleaning, are sure to help keep you safe this winter, no matter the conditions. Make sure to always dress warmly and be prepared for any situation. Safe driving!

 

 

Sources

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/driving-in-snow-tips-for-staying-safe

https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/#.Xhzj91NKj5Y

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