Timely Tips For Safe Driving In Snow From Stoneham Police

A release from Stoneham Safety Office Joseph Ponzo:

With winters getting worst and more drivers on the road, I thought it would be a good idea to talk
about driving safely in the snow. I recently wrote an article about how to dig your car out of the
snow safely, so I thought this topic would be appropriate as well.

It’s always a good idea to stay home during a snow storm; however, we live in a more realistic
world where people have to work and take care of personal obligations. So if you are a person
who must travel during a snow storm then read up.

The first thing you must do is completely clear your vehicle of all snow. Don’t try to drive looking through a peephole in the front windshield or with half the back window covered with snow. This is not only the safest tip that I can give you, but it is also the law. You can be fined at least $50,00 for not properly cleaning your windshield off while operating a motor vehicle. Turn your headlights on, even in the daylight, so other drivers can see you more easily. If driving long distances, stop every hour or so to remove accumulated snow from the vehicle. Keep in mind that the snow blowing off your car can momentarily blind other drivers in your vicinity, making already dangerous conditions worse.

Leave extra space between cars. Don’t tailgate. If you follow too closely, you have less time to
react and it’s the abrupt stops and sudden maneuvers that are most likely to cause skidding,
fishtailing and loss of control. Brake gently. Here again, the extra space between vehicles allows
time to react if your car or the one in front, or beside you, starts to slide.

If you start to slide/skid, take your foot off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the
front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding, steer right, and vice versa. If your rear wheels
start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might
have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control. If you have
standard brakes, then pump them gently, if you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the
brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes and you will feel the brakes pulsate automatically. If
your front wheels skid then take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer
immediately. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it
does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in drive or release the
clutch and accelerate gently.

The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it. But if
you can’t avoid it then try and remember these few tips for they may save you or your family’s life
someday.

Remember Safety First.