It’s that time of year again when roads turn white, and cars end up in the ditch. That’s winter for you. While New Mexico doesn’t get as much snow as northern states, roads here can still become pretty dangerous in winter. You probably know the drill, so the tips in this article will sound familiar. But if you’re driving your Kia from Santa Fe, NM for the first time, you must read this to keep safe on the road.
Listen to forecasts and watch the news
This is probably the last thing you’ll do while struggling with the cold weather. And maybe you’ll see and hear the same thing—it’s snowing here, and it’s snowing there—but there are pieces of information in the news that can help you avoid trouble on the road. For instance, if you know there’s going to be a blizzard late in the day, and you know you’re going home later from work, you can make changes to your plans to avoid getting snowed out. Or perhaps you can arrange for a sleepover somewhere safe.
Mind your speed—neither too fast nor too slow
You may think this is a no-brainer, as it applies in any other season, but it’s important to note that in winter, slow means slow. This means going below the minimum speed limit—from 45 to 30 mph. But, of course, you can still go faster than that if you’re driving on a clean, dry road. This is only necessary when the road is wet or packed with snow. If you think you’d be late for your appointment with this speed, try to hit the road early so you can get to your destination on time.
Learn how to skid, front and back
If you make a sharp turn while oversteering, then suddenly change your mind and straighten up instead, then your car will skid. The front wheels lose grip and turn into a wide arc, while the rear wheels push your car toward the same arc. Depending on how fast you’re going, your vehicle can spin out. The best way to deal with a skid is to release the brakes, accelerator, and gas. Wait until your tires regain traction, then slowly steer back to a safe direction.
Watch out for the blinking light
Today’s vehicles are smarter and safer. When there’s an issue with the transmission or engine, you’ll know it immediately because the warning light will start blinking. One of the most critical warning lights you should watch out for is the electronic stability control light. If you see this light come on or flash, your vehicle struggles to maintain traction. That means you are seconds away from a serious accident. Don’t ignore it. Slow down and try to pull over to safety. Then fix the problem before driving again.
These are only some of the ways you can avoid accidents while driving in snow. Driving is one of those fields where the famous adage “experience is the best teacher” is a bad motto to have. So don’t wait to figure in an accident before you learn when to slow down and stop during winter. Check out Fiesta Kia for more helpful tips.
