12/29/2025
🚗❄️THESE WINTER DRIVING TIPS WILL KEEP YOU SAFE THIS SEASON!
Southern California winters rarely bring snow or ice except in mountain areas, but drivers still face hazards like heavy rain, fog, slick roads, and occasional black ice in higher elevations. Preparation and caution are key. Here are the Three P’s of Safe Winter Driving:
PREPARE FOR THE TRIP
-Maintain Your Car: Check battery, tire tread, and windshield wipers, keep your windows clear, put no-freeze fluid in the washer reservoir, and check your antifreeze.
-Have On Hand: Flashlight, jumper cables, abrasive material (sand, kitty litter, even floor mats), shovel, snow brush and ice scraper, warning devices (like flares) and blankets. For long trips, add food and water, medication and cell phone.
-Stopped or Stalled? Stay in your car, don’t overexert, put bright markers on antenna or windows and shine dome light, and, if you run your car, clear exhaust pipe and run it just enough to stay warm.
-Plan Your Route: Allow plenty of time (check the weather and leave early if necessary), be familiar with the maps/ directions, and let others know your route and arrival time.
-Practice Cold Weather Driving: During the daylight, rehearse maneuvers slowly on ice or snow in an empty lot. Steer into a skid. Know what your brakes will do: stomp on antilock brakes, pump on non-antilock brakes. Stopping distances are longer on water-covered ice and ice. Don’t idle for a long time with the windows up or in an enclosed space.
PROTECT YOURSELF & PASSENGERS
-Buckle up and use child safety seats properly.
-Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag.
-Children 12 and under are much safer in the back seat.
PREVENT CRASHES ON THE ROAD
-Slow down and increase distances between cars.
-Keep your eyes open for pedestrians walking in the road.
-On slippery roads, steer gently into a skid and apply steady braking.
-Avoid jerking the wheel or slamming brakes on black ice.
-In fog or heavy rain, slow down, use low beams, and increase following distance.
-Pull over safely if visibility is too poor.
-Avoid fatigue and get plenty of rest before the trip, stop at least every three hours, and rotate drivers if possible.
-If you are planning to drink, designate a sober driver.
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