Winter presents additional hazards when driving. Whether you are driving for your district or driving on your personal time, take precautions to keep yourself safe on the road.
Taking Care of Your Vehicle
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests the following for your vehicle:
- Check your battery
- Check your cooling system
- Fill your windshield washer reservoir
- Check windshield wipers and defrosters
- Check floor mat installation to prevent pedal interferences
- Inspect your tires and check the age of your tires
- Keep a full tank of gas
Taking Care While Driving
- Give yourself enough time to arrive at your destination. Trips can take longer during winter than other times of the year, especially if you encounter storm conditions or icy roads.
- Make sure your cell phone is charged in the event you are stuck along the road but avoid the temptation to use the phone while driving.
- Adjust your speed to the road’s conditions.
- Leave more distance than usual between your vehicle and the one just ahead of you, giving yourself at least 10 seconds to come to a complete stop.
- Be careful when driving over bridges, as well as roadways rarely exposed to sunlight – they are often icy when other areas are not.
- Do not activate your cruise control when driving on a slippery surface.
- Monitor weather conditions at your destination before beginning your trip. If conditions look as though they are going to be too hazardous, just stay home.
- Look out for yourself. Assume other drivers are not concerned with your safety – you are responsible for protecting yourself and your passengers.
Information provided by Schools Insurance Authority www.sia-jpa.org