The limited visibility and slippery roads brought about by the snow can take even the most astute drivers by surprise – not to mention those who are already distracted or drowsy.
To keep yourself from becoming another injury or fatality statistic, here are a few mistakes you must avoid while driving in the snow in Calgary:
First of all, do not take your car out in the snow before ensuring it is adequately prepared for the severe weather. For one, make sure that you have snow tires with deeper treads. These tires dig into the snow and increase traction while braking and accelerating. Also keep a close eye on your battery power and antifreeze stock. Keep flares, a strong flashlight, and a snow scraper in your car throughout the winter.
Secondly, avoid slamming the breaks – no matter how much you think your tires are slipping. Hitting the brakes eliminates traction from the tires and makes it harder for you to keep the car under control. If your vehicle has an Anti-Brake System, apply steady and even pressure on the brakes. If ABS is not available, pump your brakes by rapidly braking over and over again.
Finally, driving too fast is perhaps the most common snow-driving error. When your car begins to slip and heads towards a crash, every microsecond counts. The slower your car is, the more time you have to react and minimize the impact of a potential collision. Remember that reaction times almost double in low-traction environments, which is why your speed should be about half of what it normally is.
To learn more about safely driving a Ford in the snow, please feel free to reach out to your nearest Ford dealership in Skaha.
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