Be Prepared For The Perils Of Winter Driving

By: Derrick Walker

As winter rapidly approaches, the wonderful thoughts of the holiday season visit us more often. We can never forget how the newly laden snow made the landscape so radiant, the nights we spent cuddling by the crackling fire, the expectation and excitement of opening gifts on Christmas morning, and sledding down the steepest hill we could find. How warm and cheerful those memories make us feel! But there is something else that we must never forget...

The perils of winter driving!

As the weather worsens and the snow piles up, driving becomes more and more perilous. The roads become increasingly slick due to snow and ice. Drivers who fail to use proper caution also cause problems.

As much as we would like to stay at home for safety's sake, occasionally we must brave the elements and get behind the wheel. During these times, we must be properly prepared.

Driving safely in snow requires a set of snow tires. Snow tires have a special tread pattern that helps our vehicle get extra traction on snow and ice. Any tire store will have a good choice of snow tires to select from.

It is also a good idea to keep a bag of rock salt in your trunk. Rock salt can melt through a thin layer of snow or ice in just a few minutes, allowing your tires to contact the pavement. This can be helpful if your vehicle is stuck on a level surface with a thin layer of snow or ice on the ground. Simply spread some rock salt in front of and behind your pulling tires, hold on a few minutes, and then pull out.

Snow chains or tire chains are a must have item for driving in the snow. But, they can only be used in certain conditions. Snow chains should be used if the snow entirely covers the road. If there are patches of clear pavement, you could damage a hundred dollar set of tire chains if you drive with them on. And, if you wait to use the snow tire chains until after you are stuck, the installation could be very hazardous.

A traction pad should also be in your trunk while driving. Traction pads are a great alternative to snow chains. They are portable, strong, and easy to use. They require no installation and can be handily stored until you need them. Traction pads can be used when rock salt will not work. They can also be used when there is not enough snow on the road to warrant installing tire chains. Thus, they are a good compromise between de-icing rock salt and snow tire chains.

You should also carry survival items in your trunk too, like blankets, food, flares, etc., but that can be covered another day. In the meantime, let us reexamine our plan for winter driving and be sure to have the necessary traction devices in our possession at all times.

About the Author



Derrick Walker is webmaster for http//www.portabletowtruck.com . The Portable Tow Truck is a traction aid device that is easier to use than snow chains or tire chains. Go to http//www.portabletowtruck.com/snow_tire_chains.htm for more details.