As the seasons change and the year comes to a close, new driving hazards come into play. Take measures to avoid them. Otherwise, your holiday trips might take a turn for the unexpected, which could involve anything from a hospital visit to getting stuck in a snowbank.
To prepare for hazardous winter driving, you must familiarize yourself with the most common driving hazards during the holiday season.
Ice and Snow
Unsurprisingly, the most common driving hazards in the holiday season are ice and snow.
Snow can cover the road quickly, reducing the tire traction and increasing the risk of losing control of your vehicle. Meanwhile, ice makes the streets slick, making skidding more likely when braking. It’s no wonder collisions become more common during the holiday season.
If you park your daily driver outside, you also run the risk of getting snowed in. Not only can the snow make it hard to get into your ride, but it can also freeze various parts, affect their functionality, and cause starting issues.
Parking your vehicle in a garage is the best way to avoid getting snowed in. It also pays to pack a shovel in the trunk in case you need to clear a path for your vehicle while you’re out on the road.
Stress and Fatigue
As the year comes to a close, the fatigue from work and the holiday hustle kick in for many drivers, making them tired, drowsy, or easily frustrated. These things can impair their ability to think, react, or make good decisions on the road.
If you can relate, make sure to get some rest every now and then. Avoid driving when you’re exhausted if you can and consider alternate methods of travel if you can’t put off a trip.
Jackknifing
Jackknifing refers to how trucks and vehicles with trailers can skid out of control and swivel, folding in on themselves. This creates a V-like shape where the cab and the trailer swivel and divert from where they’re linked.
The term “jackknifing” comes from how jackknives work, with the blade folding out from the handle. Even if you don’t drive a truck or vehicle attached to a trailer, it still pays to know about this risk.
Be cautious when you’re on the road with any vehicle with a trailer, especially during the holidays when roads are often slippery.
Tires Not Suited for Winter
Regular tires are not great for winter driving. They tend to freeze and become harder and more rigid when temperatures drop, making them less effective at maintaining traction on the road. Regular tires also lose pressure quickly in cold temperatures, making them lose traction.
If your holidays involve a lot of driving, consider investing in winter tires. They’re designed to resist the cold and increase traction over snowy, slippery surfaces. They also do not lose pressure as quickly as regular tires, meaning you’ll have better traction and control over your vehicle.
Battery Failure
Battery problems are one of the most common winter car failures, so be prepared for this issue during the holiday season.
When temperatures drop below 32°F, the chemical processes inside the battery slow down, causing it to become significantly less effective at holding its charge. This is especially true for older car batteries.
Most of the time, battery failure means your vehicle will have a harder time starting up – assuming can still start. To protect your battery from sub-zero temperatures, always park your vehicle inside your garage.
Road Salt
Roads are salted to reduce snow and ice, but salt itself can also be a driving hazard. Because it’s so corrosive, road salt can damage your vehicle by eroding the undercarriage and other exposed parts.
To avoid salt damage, wash your vehicle as frequently as possible during the holiday season.
Traction Loss
Traction loss is a common problem during the holiday season because the roads become more slippery due to the weather.
A lot of drivers make the common mistake of turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction to try and make the vehicle change course. This is actually one of the worst things a driver can do as it can make the vehicle skid out of control even further, potentially leading to an accident. In fact, it’s actually more helpful to steer into the direction you’re skidding to try and gain traction.
Still, the best way to avoid losing traction in the first place is to refrain from braking or accelerating too much. Stick to driving at an appropriate speed, approximately 20-40 miles per hour.
If you ever lose control of your vehicle, don’t slam the brakes as you can skid and lose control. Instead, gently press the brakes until you regain control of the vehicle.
A lot of drivers make the common mistake of turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction to try and make the vehicle change course. This is actually one of the worst things a driver can do as it can make the vehicle skid out of control even further, potentially leading to an accident.
–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
Low Visibility
Visibility tends to be at its lowest during the holiday season due to the weather. Heavy snowfall, less sunlight, and increased volumes of fog can make it more difficult for drivers to navigate the road.
Because visibility could get low, it’s best to slow down and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles while on the road to prevent accidental collisions. Vehicles in front of you that drive over snow and sleet can also create sprays that block your vision, so don’t get too close.
Black Ice
Finally, it’s arguable that black ice is one of the biggest hazards a driver can face during the holiday season. Simply put, black ice refers to the frozen layers of super thin ice that appear when the snow that covers the road melts and refreezes.
While regular ice and snow are bad enough, black ice is worse because it’s difficult to spot. It blends with black asphalt roads. Black ice coupled with low visibility can spell disaster for drivers in a hurry.
Caution is the best way to avoid accidents due to black ice. Drive carefully at reasonable speeds, and never assume the roads are not slippery if you don’t spot visible snow or ice.
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