Winter driving can be treacherous and dangerous. Most of us need a winter driving refresher every year when the snow begins to fly, so we can avoid accidents and having to make an auto insurance claim.

If you can’t avoid driving in the snow and ice, keep the following tips from AAA in mind.

Before you head out:

• Get plenty of rest before driving in winter.
• Don’t warm up your vehicle in an enclosed area.
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated.
• Keep at least half a tank of gas in your car at all times.
• Wear your seatbelt.

You will need to take all kinds of precautions when driving in winter. And the weather can change at a moment’s notice, sending all of your normal driving habits out the window. Remember to exercise extreme caution, eliminate distractions and take your time.

• Slow down!
• Give yourself plenty of time and space for stopping and starting. Allow at least three times more space than usual between cars to give you more time to stop.
• Brake gently. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently. If you have anti-lock brakes, don’t pump them; instead, apply steady pressure. It is normal to feel them pulse.
• Turn on your lights, even in daytime.
• Keep your headlights, taillights and windshield clean.
• Use low gears to improve traction, especially on hills.
• Use extra caution on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads. These will freeze first and you could come upon patches of ice that are unexpected, even if other roads seem clear.
• Don’t try to pass snowplows and sanding trucks.
• Don’t assume your vehicle is invincible; even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can slide, spin or lose control.
• Keep an emergency kit in your car that includes a cell phone, blankets, gloves, hats, food, water, medications and any other emergency supplies you might need. Be sure to have a snowbrush and a shovel in your car at all times.

Even the most careful drivers will get in accidents in the winter; sometimes it is simply unavoidable. If you do have an accident and need to file an auto insurance claim, contact us as soon as you can. We can help get the process moving and expedite your claim.

Have you had a car accident due to winter weather? Tell us what happened.