With winter weather expected all weekend, it is time for Wisconsin drivers to remember how to keep themselves safe on the road.
We spoke with Leo Waldenback, the Head of Growth at Zutobi Drivers Education program, who said that the first thing a driver should do is make sure their vehicle is completely clear of snow, not only on your windshield, but other parts of the vehicle as well.
“Not just for your visibility, but also clearing your headlights and your taillights is super important for other drivers to see you,” he said. “Your headlights have two functions. They let you see better, but they also let other drivers see you better.”
Waldenback also stressed the importance of clearing snow off the roof of your car, to ensure you don’t blind people behind you with flying snow.
Another thing to check before you hit the road is tire inflation and the kind of tires you have on your vehicle.
“Winter tires will definitely affect braking distance in these types of conditions, but the tire pressure as well…has a huge impact on those types of situations,” he explained. “If it’s on ice, if it’s on snow, it really doesn’t matter. Any icy slippery conditions.”
Waldenback reiterated the importance of safe, defensive driving during inclement weather.
He noted that a majority of fatalities on roadways involved drivers who are “Speeding, tailgating, aggressive driving, DUI. DUI by itself stands for almost a third of all road fatalities in the U.S. When it’s winter, when you are driving in bad conditions, that will only make it worse.”
While it is important to be aware of other drivers around you, Waldenback said it is important to not “overestimate your ability”.
Zutobi has many other safety tips, and articles about black ice, and other winter driving issues on their website, Zutobi.com.
