As winter precipitation starts falling again in the Midwest, it becomes important to remind drivers about the hazards of the season and how to be ready for them.  

Being prepared for winter conditions

When preparing to drive in winter conditions, it is critical to keep lights, mirrors and windshields clean due to the extended hours of darkness. Drivers should also equip themselves with a “winter kit” including such items as basic tools (hammer, crowbar, wrenches, screwdriver, and a small shovel) deicer, some form of traction aid (salt, sand, kitty litter), warm clothes, heavy bedding, food and something to drink. A driver may never have to use this kit, but it is better to have it and never need it than to need it and not have it. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order. First, keep current on all preventive maintenance. Drivers should also be conducting inspections of the tires, brakes, heating and defrosting systems, and exhaust systems. It is also advisable to keep the fuel tank above half full at all times. Additionally, due to the extended hours of darkness, drivers should be well rested. A fatigued driver will not generally hold up well under the stress of night driving in winter weather conditions.

 

Driving in winter conditions

Drivers need to be aware of the loss of visibility and traction realized when winter precipitation falls. To avoid accidents, drivers need to see, decide and act. It takes roughly two seconds to see, decide and react to a situation – in favorable conditions! If driving at a speed that allows two seconds of visibility, the driver is likely to have little or no hope of avoiding an accident in poor conditions. It is recommended 12 to 15 seconds of forward visibility be accounted for in winter driving situations. Once a driver reacts, he or she will be relying on traction, and traction is based on friction. The ability of the brake linings to get friction with the drums or rotors is what allows braking to begin. The ability of the tires to maintain friction with the roadway is what provides the driver with the necessary traction to control the vehicle. If any precipitation gets either into the brake area or between the tires and the pavement, the driver may have difficulty controlling the vehicle. To compensate for this the driver will need to reduce speed.

 

It’s not just you out there

One key winter driving concept drivers must be reminded of is they are not the only ones on the road. When selecting a safe speed, the ability to avoid accidents must be considered. If a driver operates at a speed that keeps the vehicle“ on the edge of control,” what happens when the vehicle in front of the driver slides out of control? Hitting the brakes or steering to avoid will more than likely result in loss of control. When conditions deteriorate, drivers should reduce their speed to allow them to control their vehicle – regardless of what happens around them.

 

After the precipitation stops

Just because the snow or freezing rain has stopped, it does not mean there will be smooth sailing. The severity of the storm, the ability of road crews to clear the roadways during and immediately after the storm, and the weather conditions that follow the storm are going to be factors in how long it will take to see “bare pavement” again. One dangerous situation drivers need to be alert for during this period is only parts of a roadway may be back to bare pavement. This situation can be caused by shade (the sun is not heating the pavement to help clear it), differences in the performance of road maintenance efforts, or localized blowing of snow. The big danger with these areas is ending up at a speed far too fast for the road conditions. Cautious and conscientious winter weather driving is no accident. Be safe. Take note of the topics and recommendations discussed in this bulletin. We encourage you to put them into practice – doing so helps ensure your safety. It is the philosophy of Frankenmuth Insurance and your Independent Insurance Agent to provide services that give policyholders peace of mind. At Frankenmuth Insurance, we truly are with you all the way.