One of the biggest challenges for anxious drivers is wintertime driving. If you get anxious driving on dry roads, it makes sense you’d experience winter driving anxiety when things are slippery, right?
Winter is a great time of year, but it can also be a hazardous time to be on the roads. Winter driving can be especially tricky and it’s important to take precautions and drive safely. Here are some tips for winter driving to help you stay safe this season, and to help you beat winter driving anxiety.
- Make sure your car is winter-ready. Check your tires, battery, brakes, and other fluids.
- Give yourself extra time and space. Increase the distance between you and other vehicles.
- Keep an emergency kit in your car. Include items such as a first aid kit, blankets, a flashlight, and extra snacks.
- Know how to handle skids. If you do start to slide, turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the front of the car to go.
- Don’t forget to clear the snow off your car. Make sure you can see out of all windows and your headlights and taillights are clear.
- Put your phone away. Even if it’s hands-free, using your phone while driving can be distracting and dangerous.
- Watch for animals. They may be on the road, especially in rural areas.
- Slow down. It can take longer to stop on icy or snowy roads, so give yourself extra time.
- Avoid using cruise control. It can be tricky to disengage cruise control on slick roads, so it’s best to avoid it altogether.
- Be aware of other drivers. Watch out for drivers who are distracted or driving recklessly in the winter conditions.
A lot of overcoming winter driving anxiety is about being adequately prepared to handle winter conditions. This helps keep you and your family safe, and will help reduce your winter driving anxiety.
