Tips for Driving in Kentucky Winter Weather

Whenever you get behind the wheel of a car, there’s a risk of getting into an accident or having your vehicle break down. The risk is even greater in the winter months when snow and ice make driving more hazardous. At Oxmoor Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we recognize the importance of taking extra precautions on the road this time of year. Here are our tips for driving in Kentucky winter weather to help keep you safer on the road. 

Get Your Vehicle Winter Ready

Before you even get on the road this winter, it’s crucial to make sure your vehicle is ready. Part of driving safely is making sure your vehicle can handle it. You should have your vehicle serviced and make sure your brakes are working, fluid levels are correct, etc. 

What tires do you have on your vehicle? If you regularly drive in heavy snow during the winter, you’ll want separate winter tires on your vehicle that will give you added traction on snow and ice. If you rarely encounter snow on your winter drives, you may be ok opting for a set of all-weather tires you keep on year-round. 

Make sure to have winter supplies and an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle. Things like a flashlight, shovel, warm blanket, ice scraper, and a first aid kit are all important items to have in your vehicle if you break down or get into an accident. Have some nonperishable food and bottles of water as well. 

Try to never let your gas tank get below two-thirds full. If you need to turn your vehicle on to get heat several times while you are stranded, you don’t want an empty gas tank. However, you don’t want to expose yourself to carbon monoxide poisoning either. Keep your exhaust pipe clear and run the heater with your windows partially down for no more than 10 minutes every hour. 

Avoid Driving Whenever Possible 

The most helpful winter driving tip is not to drive whenever you don’t have to. The less time you’re on the road and exposed to harsh conditions, the less of a risk there is. With more people moving to remote-based jobs, you may be one of the lucky ones who don’t need to worry about a daily commute anymore, so your winter driving is reduced. 

Plan Your Winter Drive Ahead of Time 

Keeping yourself safe requires taking extra steps before you get behind the wheel and start driving. Look at apps like Waze that you can download ahead of time. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has a partnership with Waze through the Waze Connected Citizens program. Waze will tell you what the current road conditions are and what traffic is like. It will give you turn by turn instructions to help you avoid traffic jams and accidents. 

Practice Your Winter Driving

Are you new to harsh weather driving conditions? Many people are, especially those who grew up driving in more temperate climates and relocated to somewhere with harsh winters later in life. One of the best ways to get more familiar with driving on ice and snow is to head to an empty parking lot. You can try winter driving maneuvers here without risking other people. Remember to take it slow and only practice during daylight hours. 

If you find that your tires are not handling the snow well, it’s time to bring your vehicle in for service and see whether you need to replace yours with dedicated winter tires. Remember, if you are struggling with them in an empty parking lot, how will you handle a problem on the road?

Slow Down on the Roads 

Please slow down on the roads this winter. Just because the speed limit says 55 mph, it doesn’t mean that you have the right to go that fast in the snow, sleet, or fog. You should never drive faster than it’s safe for the current conditions. 

Keep a Safe Distance 

Always maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. It’s even more critical to leave extra space during the winter months. If the vehicle in front suddenly stops to avoid an accident, you need to ensure you also have time to stop safely. You could hit a patch of ice and slide right into the other vehicle if you don’t leave more room. It could take almost four times as much space to stop in the snow. 

Steer Into the Skid

If you find yourself in trouble and your vehicle is going to start skidding, it’s imperative to remain calm. You should ease your foot off the gas while carefully trying to steer into the skid and the direction you want your vehicle to go. Don’t slam on the brakes either. Once your car has stopped skidding, you can gently put your foot back on the gas. 

Watch for Black Ice 

Black Ice is a well-known winter hazard in Kentucky. It’s a hidden danger that can lead drivers to panic when they encounter it. Black ice occurs when rain or melted snow freezes again, usually at night. You can often spot black ice where water collects on the road or where there isn’t enough sunlight to melt it. 

Common places black ice develops include: 

• Shadows of tall buildings.
• Shadows of large trees.
• Underpasses.
• Shadows of bridges.
• Bases of hills.

You should also be cautious driving in outside lanes on multilane roads. Black ice can accumulate on the shoulder because roads slope down toward the edges. 

What to Do In an Accident 

If you do get into an accident, remain as calm as possible. If there are no visible injuries, move your vehicle off the road, so it’s not impeding traffic. You should contact the police and exchange information with the other driver, and get contact information for all witnesses. 

If Your Vehicle Breaks Down 

If your vehicle breaks down, try to move it off the roadway as well. Turn your hazard lights on and remain in the vehicle. This is where having reflective triangles and other emergency gear in your vehicle is important too. 

With temperatures already falling, now is the time to get your vehicle serviced. Contact Oxmoor Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram today to schedule maintenance on your vehicle so you can stay safer on Kentucky roads this winter.