With warmer weather, however, there develops different driving hazards than what the winter presented us. Whereas in winter we have to be weary of ice and snow, warming temperatures bring their own challenges, such as high water levels or slush.
Enjoy the warm weather – but be sure you change your driving habits as the snow begins to melt! Here are three tips for how to drive safely when the snow begins to melt.
- 1. Driving over slush
There are different things to look out for when driving over slush (the gray, sludgy stuff) on the road. For starters, slush, unlike ice or snow, “grabs” onto your tires. That in turn ends up slowing your vehicle down, in some cases in very significant ways.
Be careful when driving over slush, and if you get stuck or lose control, don’t panic. Lift your foot off of the accelerator, apply your brakes slowly, and regroup.
2. Potholes
Potholes are huge problems in the warming weather. During the winter, snow seeps into cracks in the road. As it freezes, the ice actually expands, causing those cracks to grow larger. The process repeats itself over and again, eventually culminating in large holes in the road.
The best defense against potholes is just keeping a vigilant eye for them on the road. Keep your eyes peeled for potholes. Don’t swerve violently to miss one – you could find yourself in bigger troubles by hitting someone – but when possible move out of the way to avoid potholes.
3. Animals
Animals are more active during winter months, especially the spring time. Many are waking from hibernation while others are beginning mating season. They often cross roads, especially in rural areas, so you must be on the alert more during these warming times!
Keep an eye on the side of the road, especially at night time. Often you can see animals sooner by recognizing the reflection of their eyes from your car headlights. Using your brights (when able to) on country roads is also a great way to deter animals from trying to cross your path.
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