The hot summer has passed and it's now time to welcome the long winter nights. With the climatic change, there are many other changes that one has to face. Though you may love winter for various reasons, one thing that everyone dreads is winter driving. Harsh climatic conditions and greasy roads put your driving skills to test, even if you are a seasoned driver. Below mentioned are a few tips to follow if you undertake winter driving.
1. Inspect your lights
Driving in dark winter nights can be more dreadful. The first and foremost thing to do is have a thorough inspection of all the car lights, including the headlight, tail light, fog lamp and the indicators too. Make sure that it is in appropriate condition to give you the required amount of illumination. Keep them functioning efficiently during the day and especially at night, when the road lights are poor and visibility is reduced considerably.
2. Check tire pressure
Keep a check on the tire pressure before setting off. In case you are using all-season tires, check the thread and replace them if needed. However, all-season tires lose their grip when the temperature goes below 7-degrees. And therefore, you should consider changing into winter tires to ensure your safety. They provide better handling, braking, and traction. They also help to shorten your braking distance by almost 25%.
3. Use night vision system
It often snows in winter. And hence, the snow on the road will reflect the moonlight. Here is where the Lanmodo Vast Pro automotive night vision system can help to catch clear images of the road. It is one of the best night driving assistants available today. It uses SONY MCCD photosensitive chip to give you full-colored images in 1080P high resolution, and shows road signs clearly on its screen, which helps you to take correct measures. The 8 inch IPS screen gives you a crystal clear view of what lies ahead.
The Lanmodo Vast Pro night vision system extends up to 300 m, much further beyond your headlight. Thus you can take the necessary action quickly. This system can be a life-savior in winters as you can have a clear perception of the road and know what is coming up next.
4. Don't drive when tired
One of the biggest mistakes that you can make is to continue driving even if you are tired and drowsy. Staying behind the wheels when tired can put you and others at risk. Drowsy driving reduces your reaction time and also diverts your attention. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported about 1,00,000 crashes due to drowsy driving. Therefore, it is wiser to stop and relax a bit before continuing on the journey.
5. Keep your windows clean
Keeping the windows and windshield clean will enhance your visibility. Stock up on the windshield fluid as you will be using a lot of it during winters. It is also essential to use high-quality winter fluid with de-icer for effectively cleaning your vehicle. Winter season is accompanied by fog and reduced visibility, remember to clean off any ice or frost that may accumulate on the windows.
6. Don't use accelerator or brakes rapidly
It is never a good idea to speed up while driving in the dark during winters. Maintain a safe speed on the road, as the roads become greasy and slippery due to snow. It is best to apply the brakes slowly and steadily to be in full control of your vehicle. Be prepared for turns and slow down gradually as you approach turns and curves. Similarly, you need to remember to apply gas slowly to accelerate. By doing so the traction on the greasy road is maintained to keep you safe.
7. Maintain constant speed
Most of the misfortunes on the road happen due to this one big reason--driving too fast. During winters, the roads are not in the best of condition, so it is wise to maintain a constant speed. Over speed could lead to life-threatening collisions and pose a danger for all on the road. Drive within the permissible speed limits to have full control of your vehicle under all circumstances. Maintaining a safe speed will give others behind you considerable time to maneuver in case you stop or take a turn.
The bottom line is that you need to be extra-cautious during winter nights while traveling. The road conditions and climate is not the best one for driving. A slight mistake on your part could put your life and that of others in great danger. So follow the rules, and be safe.
