Winter Driving Tip: See and Be Seen

December 27th, 2013  |  Insurance

Visibility is a key issue when it comes to winter driving. All drivers need to see and be seen on the roadways in order avoid collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians. When you can clearly see other drivers, and when they can see you, it greatly reduces the potential of an accident occurring.

However, many drivers still have bad habits when it comes to winter driving that can have a negative impact on visibility. Many drivers fail to adjust their driving habits to match winter road conditions, people fail to properly clear all the snow off their vehicle, and others choose to drive when they should just stay home.

Here are some things that you can do to ensure that you can see and are seen on the road during the winter:

• Make sure your windshield wipers are working correctly.
• Top up the washer fluid. Keep an extra bottle in the trunk in case you run out.
• Make eye contact with other drivers and pedestrians at crosswalks, stop signs, and intersections.
• Clean all the snow off your vehicle before driving – not just enough so you can see out the front window. Snow can also blow off your vehicle and cause vision problems for other drivers if you fail to clear it off.
• If visibility is really poor, pull over. Stay home if you can avoid it.

What steps do you take during the winter to make sure that you are seen by other drivers? What other tips can you offer drivers about driving visibility in the winter?