With the temperatures dropping, colder winds blowing, snow falling from the sky making a fresh blanket of snow on the ground. In the last couple of years there has not been much snow that fell during the winter. This year, however, there was up to 12 inches of snow across Indiana. That means more snow and ice on the road which is very dangerous when people are not careful on the road. Many accidents can happen when people don’t take roads safety seriously.
Tip 1: Take extra care of your car.
The cold weather can raise the probability of a car’s engine not starting. Many people have to jump start their cars to get them running if cold air ‘freezes’ their engine. It is also possible for snow to get your car stuck. Especially if it snows a few inches. Shoveling driveways and around cars helps keep them from becoming stuck.
“I wanted to get out of the house since we had another E-Learning day on Tuesday, but my car was both stuck in the snow and I could not get it to start,” junior Hannah Bradberry said.
Tip 2: Observe your surroundings extra carefully.
It’s important to be extra cautious whenever the roads are slippery. Slippery roads can raise the risk of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is when a driver loses control of their vehicle and slides. That is why it is important to go slower and watch your surroundings extra carefully.
“One time I almost slid off the road because of how slippery it was and I live on the side of a mountain,” senior Ava Hansel said.
Tip 3: Watch out for other cars.
Sometimes other cars can swerve or hydroplane on the road when they are icy. It is important to keep an eye on what other cars are doing just in case something happens to them. It’s also important that you watch bigger vehicles like trucks or semis as they can spray water or ice sometimes.
“It can take me two hours to get home. One of the worst parts is when semis spray slush at me, which blinds me for a few seconds,” English teacher Sharon Eickhoff said.
Winter driving can be scary especially for people who are new to driving but following road rules, watching other cars on the road and going slower can help you stay safe during winter time.
