It’s officially winter. Days are mostly dreary and cold, portending the snow and ice that will soon be upon us. As we can expect from every Indiana winter, streets and roadways will certainly be slick, slushy, and at times, even frozen over. When the winter storms come in, they really make driving conditions dangerous and unpredictable, so it is critical to your safety and the safety of others to use extreme caution and care when driving in such conditions. Accordingly, it is important to remember how to safely operate your vehicle, navigate in winter weather, and manage road emergencies.

Continue reading to review some vital safety tips for winter driving and be sure to pass them along to your friends and family too!

Winter Driving Tips You Need to Know

You never know what to expect with winter weather, so being prepared is key. One of the most important rules of safe driving that applies all year long is to have your vehicle serviced professionally according to its individual needs and its manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. When your vehicle is in good condition, it is in its safest form. This includes parts, fluids, tires, and more.

Another important part of being prepared is keeping an emergency roadside assistance kit in your vehicle at all times. There are various types of kits available at the stores, all with different items. Choose whichever kit best fits your emergency roadside needs, such as jumper cables, road triangles, flashlight, first aid kit, blanket, and more. See our blog, “Put a Roadside Emergency Kit in Your Car” to get some ideas on how to create your own. Below are some additionally important tips to remember when driving in inclement weather.

Additional Driving Safety Considerations

⚠ Keep at least a half a tank of gas in your vehicle at all times.
⚠ Periodically check for proper tire inflation.
⚠ Do not leave a vehicle running in an enclosed garage.
⚠ Always wear your seat-belt.
⚠ Always ask passengers to buckle up too.
⚠ Never drive when you are too tired or drowsy.
⚠ Always keep your eyes on the direction you are steering.
⚠ Avoid using the parking brake in wet or slick conditions.
⚠ Avoid using cruise control in wet or slick conditions.
⚠ Accelerate and Brake slowly on wet or snowy roads.

Long Distance Driving Safety

⚠ Have your vehicle serviced before you leave.
⚠ Watch the weather before you leave to be prepared
⚠ Be sure you fully-charge your car phone and bring an emergency charging unit.
⚠ Delay leaving if weather is too extreme.
⚠ Check your emergency roadside kit and refill as needed.
⚠ Check that your exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow.
⚠ Pack extra blankets.

⚠ If you get stuck in the snow, stay with your vehicle and call for help.

Towing and Roadside Assistance for Indiana

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for friendly 24 hour towing, recovery, and roadside assistance and advice in Central Indiana. We open a family-owned and operated business for 90 years, so you can trust us for prompt and professional service. We are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year, so our certified tow truck operators can be there for you anytime, any day! Request free estimates, anytime.