 Driving on icy roads can be stressful and challenging. But special attention and care on your part can help you and others stay safe. Only drive in icy, wintery conditions if you must do so. Otherwise, stay home and stay safe! When you do have to go out, do your part to make sure you aren't causing problems for anyone else. You may not see the ice, but it can be on the roads, especially on bridges. Good Tires Your tires need to have plenty of tread on them for the icy conditions. If they are in poor condition, they won't give you the traction you need. Routinely get your tires checked by a professional before winter. If you need to replace them, get it done early enough that you aren't driving on ice with tires that can't handle it well. Clean Windows All of your windows need to be fully cleaned off for driving safely in icy conditions. Don't give into temptation to only scrape a small area to see out of because it is cold outside. Give your vehicle ample time to warm up and the windows to defrost. Make sure your wipers aren't frozen to the windshield so you can turn them on if you need to while driving. Stay Focused Try to relax and stay calm when driving on ice. Stay focused and keep an eye on what is taking place around you. Other vehicles may be driving too fast for conditions or spin out ahead of you on the ice. Be ready for anything. Keep both hands on the steering wheel and the radio turned off. Avoid distractions such as eating or talking to others in the vehicle. Turn off cruise control too as part of driving safely in icy conditions. Slow Down for Conditions You may have to creep along at a slow speed to reach your destination when the roads are icy. Slow down and take as much time as you need to. Don't get anxious if other drivers are passing you. If there is only one lane and you see several cars behind you, try to get over to the right when it is safe and let them pass. You should be comfortable with your speed. It is going to take you longer to stop on icy roads, so leave extra space between you and other vehicles. Pump your brakes and use them to help you slow down when you approach a stop sign or a stoplight. Don't push down on the brakes rapidly as that could cause you to slide. If you do start to slide, let up on the gas and slowly turn your steering wheel in the opposite direction. Slow, steady, and calm are the key. Carry Supplies in your Vehicle If your vehicle is light, keep some items in it to help add weight and reduce sliding on ice. Keep other supplies on hand including a shovel, some gravel, and a blanket. Make sure you always have a full tank of gas. If you get stuck, use the shovel to break up the ice around the tires. Try to get traction with the ground below it. Add a few handfuls of gravel around the tires and gently allow the vehicle to rock back and forth. Put it in reverse, turn the wheels the other way, and try to go forward again. If you ever do find yourself stuck out on the road in icy conditions, tow truck companies are ready to assist you. Give Brockton Towing a call to get you out of a slippery situation!
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 Car breakdowns while on the road is a situation that no driver ever wants to face. It leaves you stranded and exposed to various risks. Luckily, truck towing services can save the day. While this may sound welcoming, the tow truck will take time to arrive. As you wait for assistance, you should take some road safety measures to protect yourself and other road users. Turn your hazard lights on This is the first you need to do when you get stranded on the road. It would be best if you made other drivers aware that your vehicle is experiencing an issue. Turning on your hazards:
Get off the road If possible, you should move your vehicle off the road. If you stay on the road, you may cause obstructions and traffic jams. Worse still, other cars may crash into your vehicle if left on the road, especially if you are in a blind spot. Set up reflective warning signs It is wise to carry flares, orange cones, or other signs to catch the eye of other drivers. You will want to place these in front and behind your car to warn other road users of your stationary vehicle. These warning signs are especially crucial at night or if you are in a blind spot. Alerting drivers to your presence will help prevent them from crashing into you and you vehicle. Avoid free rides from strangers While struck on the road, you may have several people offer you a ride. Even if you are feeling anxious to get help, it is best to be cautious. You are better off waiting with your vehicle, rather than catching a ride into town. Since you have already called for assistance from a towing company, be patient and wait for them. Don't leave your car unattended Out of boredom, you may think of taking a walk while waiting for the tow truck. You may also run of patience and decided to seek assistance elsewhere. For example, if the cause of your troubles was running out of fuel or burst tire, you may think of going to the nearest service station to seek help. However, this is not recommended. A police officer may think your car abandoned and leave you a ticket. Someone with malicious intent may try to break into your car or steal it. Also, the tow truck may arrive while you are gone. Therefore, if you have contacted a trusted and reliable company, patiently wait for them to arrive. Don't panic Maintaining calmness is probably the most important safety tip to remember while waiting for a tow truck. While this is easier said than done, panicking can make you do things that put you, your car, or other road users at risk. For example, you may panic and hitch a ride from a stranger, which puts you at risk. This also leaves your vehicle unattended. Due to panic, you may fail to observe the necessary safety protocols, such as making your vehicle visible by turning on hazard lights. Just stay calm and remember that help is on the way. A car breakdown can be frustrating and scary, especially if you are in a remote place. However, observing the above road safety tips can ensure your safety as you wait for your towing company to arrive. If you find yourself in need, we are always a phone call away! |
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April 2021
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