Not everything goes as planned. Sometimes you might have a trip all planned out, but mother nature has other plans. Just because there might be some rain or snow in the forecast doesn’t mean you have to cancel your trip. Just make sure your car is ready and that you are prepared before hitting the road!
Getting Your Car Ready
Before heading out, you need to make sure your car is in tip top shape to handle the roads and harsh weather that might come your way. This means getting any replacement brakes or getting your oil changed before the trip. Making sure that your car is running properly is important as you don’t want to worry about breaking down and being stranded. It is also a good idea to wash your car and detailing the inside so that it is clean and ready for your trip. A clean car will give you more space and be more pleasant to drive. Plus, a clean window is going to help you see better, especially during rain or snow.
Drive Safe
Whenever you are on the road, you want to obey all laws and drive as safe as possible. For example, make sure you are giving yourself enough time to stop if you need to break in an emergency. The average speed is 30 miles per hour and it can take time to slow down your car. In fact, the faster you are going, the longer it takes to stop. This gets even more complicated when there are wet or slick roads. When it is raining out, it usually takes twice as long to stop. When there is snow or ice on the roads, it can take up to ten times as long to stop, so always drive with caution.
Pay Attention to the Weather
Pay attention to the weather forecast if you plan on driving a long distance or even in a new area. If there are severe weather alerts like flooding or blizzards, it is best to wait and delay your trip until the weather has cleared. There might be times when you are already on the road and harsh weather hits. Remember to drive extra carefully, take extra time to stop and most importantly, slow down!
Check out this video for more information on how to drive safe in harsh weather conditions and also check out #StoppingDistance on social media.
Categories: Travel, Travel Tips
