Winter Safety Driving Tips

1/10/2020 (Permalink)

Drive Safely

Weather conditions in Maryland change quickly during the winter months. SERVPRO of Edgewater/Deale-Churchton/Lothian wants to make sure you are safe while driving during a winter storm. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

You Snooze you Lose. Don’t hit the snooze button — give yourself extra time when weather is bad. Drivers who give themselves extra time to get to their destination help ensure a safe and appropriate speed for road conditions, and an adequate following distance.

Sharing the Road with School Buses. In all 50 states, it’s illegal to pass a school bus that has its stop arm out and red flashing lights on. It’s estimated that 70,000 drivers break this law every school day, causing close calls and injuries to children. Everyone plays a role in ensuring students get to school safety, so please use caution and maintain a safe following distance. Click here to view a Maryland School Bus laws.

Make sure the wiper blades, tires, battery and defroster are in good working condition before inclement weather hits. Keep the vehicle’s gas tank full and check window washer fluid levels. Driving is a visual task, so always be sure your windows and mirrors are clean and clear and your visibility is good.

Pedestrians are more likely to be rushing during cold temperatures and could be hidden by poor visibility or snow banks. Remain alert for children who may be hidden or standing in or near the street at the bus stop due to mounds of plowed snow.

Adjust your driving behavior to the weather conditions. During winter, this often requires slowing down and increasing your following distance. Anticipate that bridges and overpasses may be frozen, even if the roadway is not, and minimize acceleration and hard-braking.