Winter seems to have arrived early for much of the country this year – including right here in Northeast Georgia. That’s why we here at Athens Ford want to remind you of some extra safety precautions you should take when winter weather leaves it mark on our roads. Our Georgia highways and country lanes are beautiful, but they can also be treacherous when snow and ice are present. Here are some tips for staying safe when you journey out this winter.
Preparing for Winter Weather
One of the essentials for winter weather driving is to make sure your car is properly maintained and prepared. That means:
- Check your tires for adequate tread and replace them if necessary. A worn tire may lose traction even in minor snow and rain. Also, tire pressure falls when the weather gets colder, so make sure your tires are properly inflated for the conditions.
- Make sure your battery is in good condition. Batteries lose some of their starting power as the temperature drops, so a weak battery may not have enough juice when you need it most.
- Have your belts and hoses inspected for wear and cracking. Cold weather causes old and worn hoses and belts to become more brittle, meaning yours could break and leave you stranded.
- Make sure your windshield wipers are in good shape. Wipers that are old can quickly deteriorate in icy conditions, leaving you unable to see adequately.
- Be sure to fill up on fuel sooner than you might otherwise do. Driving in winter conditions often uses more gas than in ideal driving conditions. Also, if you do happen to get stuck in snow, you want to have enough fuel to run the heater and keep warm until help arrives.
Driving in Winter Weather
If you do find yourself driving in snow, sleet or ice, be sure to adjust your driving to the conditions. Allow extra room to stop, and reduce your speed
The Georgia DOT offers these tips for safe winter driving:
- Stay off the roads in snowy or icy conditions unless it’s an emergency.
- If you are behind a dump truck or snowplow, never attempt to pass. Also, leave plenty of room between your vehicle and DOT vehicles.
- Be aware of black ice, where your vehicle could lose traction. Overpasses and on / off ramps are especially susceptible to black ice, so slow way down when approaching them.
- Even if your vehicle has 4-wheel or all-wheel drive and traction control, it can still lose traction in some conditions. Drive slowly even if you think your vehicle can handle rough weather.
- If you do lose traction, take your foot off of the accelerator, steer into the slide, and attempt to gently apply the brakes.
- If you find yourself stuck in the snow, stay with your vehicle. Don’t attempt to get out if you are on the road, or are in or near other traffic
- Consider carrying extra water and a snack in your vehicle in case you are stuck for a period of time.
.
Safety Features Designed to Protect in Winter Weather
Vehicle safety features have improved dramatically in recent years. Advances in technology and design have led to cars, trucks and SUVs that are more capable in adverse conditions, and safer if an accident does occur. Ford vehicles off some of the latest safety features to protect you and your family, including:
- Ford’s Safety Canopy® System which combines multiple airbags and a rollover sensor to provide passenger protection all around.
- AdvanceTrac® Traction Control with RSC (Roll Stability Control)
- Anti-lock Brakes with Brake-Assist
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Available Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning
- Available Lane-keeping Assist
Written By:Mark Ficken
Connect with us
