Tips for Driving Safely this Winter

Winter is almost here, and in the Northwest that means cold, fog and slippery streets. Add to that increasing darkness during the commute, and it makes driving much more hazardous for the next three months or more.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) has a number of driving tips that will help keep you and your family safe while traveling this winter.

Get a Vehicle Checkup

Just like your personal health, your vehicle needs a clean bill of health to survive the wintry weather and slick streets. Now is the time to take care of any problems with your vehicle's electrical system, battery, brakes, tires, exhaust, engine-cooling system and windshield wipers. You want to avoid a breakdown in inclement weather!

Make sure you fill your windshield wiper fluid now for the inevitable rain, slush or snow that will try to obscure your view of the road. Wipers can smear the windshield, and without fluid to wash it off, you could be blinded to the hazards in front of you.

Check your tires for excessive wear to make sure they will grip the road when it's wet or snowy. One quick way of testing the amount of tread left is to push a penny in the groove between the treads, with Lincoln's head facing down. If the top of Lincoln's head is visible above the tread, then your tires are too worn-out, and you need to purchase new tires.

Carry a Survival Kit

If you should get stranded, a survival kit will be very important to keep you safe and warm until help can arrive. This should include:

• A warm blanket
• Boots and insulated gloves
• Food and water
• A flashlight with extra batteries
• Ice scraper
• Small shovel
• Signal flares
• Jumper cables
• Sand or kitty litter (for helping your tires get a grip if you're stuck)

Make sure you have a cellphone and a charger with you, too, so you can call for help.

Check the Weather Forecast First

Before heading out on the road, make sure to check to see what the weather will be like, so you aren't caught in bad weather, heavy traffic or poor road conditions.

Once you're behind the wheel, slow down and leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you, in case of slippery roads or accidents. It's also more important than ever to not be distracted by phones, maps, children or pets. Your vehicle may not respond as quickly as normal, and any delay in your reaction time could spell disaster!

Finally, make sure your auto insurance is up-to-date, and covers you in the event an uninsured or underinsured driver hits you. Call SAV-ON today at 888-867-2866 or visit www.sav-on.com to make sure you're set for winter driving.

Source: American Automobile Association