• Icy conditions make the roads especially treacherous in winter.snow image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com
  
  Driving during winter can be dangerous because snow and icy conditions make the roads especially treacherous. This is why it is necessary to make certain preparations for safe driving during the winter. Maintain your vehicle carefully during the winter months, keep emergency supplies on hand and pay close attention to the vehicles around you.
  
  

Prepare your Car for Winter Driving

• You must keep your car in good condition at all times for your safety.luxury car - model toy car image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com
  
  Keep your car in good condition at all times. This is especially true in winter when it is more risky to drive due to the snow and ice. Make sure that the anti-freeze and all the other fluids are at the proper levels. Get an engine tune-up and switch your engine oil to winter-weight oil if you do not have an all-season oil. Make sure that your tires are properly inflated and in good condition. Check your tires frequently because cold weather affects tire pressure. Snow tires with lugs are a good investment and are more reliable in winter than all-weather tires. It might also be wise to switch to winter wiper blades which have a rubber boot that repels moisture from the working parts of the blade. Also check the battery to make sure that it is in good working condition.
  
  

Winter Car Supplies

• Include a flashlight and batteries in your winter kit.flashlight image by Sonar from Fotolia.com
  
  Have a winter travel safety kit in your car at all times during the winter months in case you ever are stranded on the road. Such a kit must contain a scraper, a snow shovel, booster cables, blankets, heavy boots and a bag of sand to use for tire traction. Also include a flashlight. The batteries in them should be reversed to avoid the batteries running down. Have road flares or reflectors, a portable weather radio and non-perishable foods like energy bars and peanuts.
  
  

Other Tips

• Be careful on bridge surfaces because they tend to ice up sooner than the main roads.One Lane Bridge Sign near a Covered Bridge image by Rob Hill from Fotolia.com
  
  Do not follow other cars too closely; leave enough room for stopping and maneuvering your way out of tricky spots. Do not apply the brakes suddenly and avoid using cruise control so that you will be able to respond better if you encounter slippery roads. Slow down when approaching emergency or maintenance vehicles, especially when their flashing lights are on. For instance, the law requires you to maintain a distance of at least 200 feet when approaching a snow plow, and do not pass on the right. Be careful on bridge surfaces because they tend to ice up sooner than the main roads. When driving in winter, keep to the main roads and avoid taking shortcuts through territory that may not have been plowed.