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Tips for Staying Safe in Winter Driving Conditions

For many places around the United States, late fall through early spring can bring severe storms with cold, wet weather. Driving can be especially dangerous with low visibility and slippery roads.

Driving Best Practices for When Bad Weather Hits

Driving safety should always be your highest priority – regardless of the time of year. Using extra caution when the weather blows in can keep you, your loved ones, pedestrians and others safe.

  • Slow Down: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “failure to keep in proper lane or running off the road” and “driving too fast for conditions” are two of the most common poor driver behaviors. Slick roads, wind and low visibility can make these behaviors even more dangerous. Give yourself ample space between you and the next car. It can take three seconds to come to a full stop on dry pavement; that time goes up to 10 seconds when it’s wet.
  • Avoid Getting Distracted Behind the Wheel: “Snow squalls,” or short and sudden bursts of extremely heavy snow, can reduce visibility from dozens of feet to right in front of your windshield in seconds. They’re particularly notorious for causing severe car crashes. Even though it might not be a traditional squall, conditions can change at a moment’s notice. Give the road your full attention by eliminating potential distractions. Texts can wait.
  • Have a Designated Driver: Impaired drivers should never get behind the wheel. In 2018, there were 10,511 deaths from drunk-driving crashes. This goes for alcohol and other drugs: they can slow reaction time, cause drowsiness and impair judgement – and you’re going to want to be extra alert when the weather is bad.
  • Take the Time to Reflect: As we enter the new year and set our resolutions, take some time to reflect on your own driving behavior: what ways can you improve? Or, perhaps, what practices do you want to instill in younger drivers to pass on a safety-first mindset?

With 24/7 visibility – even in low light or inclement weather – photo enforcement technologies are an excellent way to encourage safe driving behaviors, prevent crashes and ultimately save lives. Learn more about Redflex’s photo enforcement tools and road safety tools here.



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