How to drive in snow at night
Night driving is always a bit more dangerous than day driving. Visibility is a huge part of staying safe, and that’s why we always try to do what we can to maximize our ability to see and be seen. Powerful, working headlights are a start, but there’s a lot we can do from the driver’s seat to make sure we’re driving as safely as possible when it’s dark out. Throw in the snowy conditions we often get during winter here in Wisconsin where our dealership is located, and things get even more challenging. Today we’re offering some of our best advice for how to drive in snow at night:
Before embarking:
Avoid it if you can — This might sound like a silly tip for driving in snow, but our first piece of advice for driving in snow is: Don’t. If you know there’s going to be blowing snow and whiteout conditions, try your best to avoid driving until conditions improve. Even if you do everything right, there are bound to be other drivers out there who have no idea what they’re doing. If you must, you must, though, and that’s what the rest of our tips are for.
Ensure visibility: All your lights need to be in good working order and free of all snow and debris to ensure maximum visibility. Also make sure your windshield is clear of snow and ice.
Have a winter kit on board: There’s always a chance you’ll find yourself stuck somewhere, so make sure you have a well-bolstered winter safety kit on board.
While driving:
SLOW DOWN: Yep, we busted out the all-caps for that one. It doesn’t matter if you’re an expert driver with amazing stability control, snow tires, the whole works… the roadway is full of people who are anxious and doing their best to get to their destination in hazardous conditions — Reduce your speed to help mitigate danger for everyone.
Increase following distance: Now is the time to exercise patience and stay back from other vehicles. You don’t know what’s crossing their path if you’re riding their rear, and it’s not worth the risk if they need to stop quickly.
Minimize distractions: Tell your passengers its quiet time, turn down the tunes, and keep your full attention on the important task at hand.
Stop safely when necessary: If your visibility is right around zero due to a whiteout, find the nearest exit such as a gas station or hotel and wait it out for a while.
