Winter Driving

We had our first real winter weather in Minnesota last week.  It was a mixture of rain that turned to ice and snow.  This, of course, means that all of that ends up on the roads and makes driving a little difficult.  In fact, last Wednesday was the first day of this weather and it took me an hour to get to work.  Usually, it takes about twenty five minutes.  Slow going because of the weather.  I was prepared for it and left early enough to get to work on time.  Because I was prepared, I didn't have any panic moments on the road where I saw myself as being late for work and therefore I didn't drive like an idiot.  That, however, is not always the case.  People are not always smart when it comes to winter driving.  Here are a few things that I think everyone should take into consideration when driving in the winter weather.

Leave early (duh).  Morning commutes in metro areas are always suspect.  One day everything could be hunky dory and you could get to work in record time.  The next day there could be a huge accident and you roll into work an hour late.  And that isn't always in the winter.  Get up early enough to check the commute reports via the television or local radio stations.  Or, check out a map app on your smart phone.  Google Maps usually has a pretty accurate time frame and has up to date info on road conditions.  It shows where there are stoppages or accidents or lane closures. 

Slow down and know your roads.  If the roads are snow covered, you don't know what is under that snow.  It could be nothing, it could be ice.  The last thing you want to do is speed up to pass someone and end up in the ditch because you spun your ties and lost control.  Also, you need to know your roads.  Take the same route each day.  You'll know the conditions of the roads ahead of time and you'll know if you need to leave early because of said conditions.  With that said, also use the highway or main roads if possible.  Cities focus on main roads first and then go to side streets.  That is where the majority of traffic is so that is the first priority.  Even though everyone else takes those roads, you should too.

Space everything out.  One thing that irritates me is people that tailgate on the highway.  I admit, I have done this before as I'm sure everyone else has.  In the winter I cannot stand when people do that.  If there are three or four lanes, why not use them?  There is no point in following someone so close that you cannot see their back wheels.  Plus, that leaves room for the people that want to get into the lane that you are in.  It's a courtesy thing.  This also applies when changing lanes.  I, for one, prefer to stay in the lane I'm in if the roads are not in the best of conditions.  There are going to be times, however, when you need to change lanes.  I like to change lanes on straightaways.  It's much easier that way.  You don't have to worry about a curve or a hill.  I don't cut out in front of people.  The last thing you want to do is cut someone off causing them to slam on their breaks and cause a chain reaction of people slowing down all because you were impatient and didn't want to wait for that one last car to pass you.  When getting over to the new lane, don't do so right after someone passes you unless they are just flying down the road.  There should be plenty of space then.  

Look, after reading this does it make me sound like the person everyone hates driving on the highway?  Yes.  I like to be cautious, but I also don't drive forty miles an hour down the highway.  I drive for conditions.  I drive smart.  I drive smart because not everyone does.