As a kid, there was nothing better than a snow day. It is truly a gift. Also, add the winter wonderland outside your door and you had a day full of fun. Unfortunately, this is not the same attitude many adults have for snow days. For adults, snow days create more of a problem. Adults typically don’t get snow days. So, we have to go out on slick roads and navigate our way to work or other obligations we may have.
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Tips for slick roads
There are a few safety tips that can make to help our trek in the snow a little safer. These include:
- Check your tire treads. Summer tires have no traction in the snow and not all tires have good snow traction.
- Ramp up your windshield. Replace your wipers and thoroughly clean the inside of your windshield. Also, make sure your wiper fluid has a de-icing agent mixed with it.
- Run your air conditioner to prevent condensation from building up on the interior of your windshield. Good visibility is a must for safe driving.
- Double check your headlights and taillights. Make sure they are working and are not covered with snow when you hit the road.
- Be aware of black ice. What is black ice? It is a sheet of ice that blends in with the road. If you come upon what looks like a puddle, double check by slowly checking the traction and proceed with caution.
- Be aware of areas that you know are problems. Avoid them if possible, and if they are unavoidable, be careful.
- Don’t steer too much when you hit a patch of ice. If you do, then when you leave the patch of ice your car will head in the direction of your steering wheel.
- Don’t be too confident about your driving ability. Know that even with a 4-wheel drive vehicle, an anti-lock brake system and electronic stability control, you are still at the mercy of the elements.
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Winter can be serious in the Kentuckiana area. It may be a nice sunny day one moment and a snow storm the next. We need to be ready for changes in weather and know how to safety drive on slick roads. While it’s safer to not drive on ice or snow covered roads, there are times when we have to drive on them. Try to inspect your car before bad weather hits. That way, you know what you need to replace so you can be safe.