4 safety tips to drive on smooth roads

Rain can have many meanings, for many people. However, for drivers, it means only one thing: driving on smooth roads. A scenario where we must activate all five senses to compensate for the loss of traction.

Would you like to learn a couple of tips on how to drive in a storm? At udrive, the best driving school in Quebec we have compiled 4 key driving tips for this purpose.

1. How to drive on the highway with slippery ground without worrying

To learn how to drive in these conditions, there are a couple of things you should know and keep in mind. Some of them are:

Prevention

The first thing is that you should avoid the typical car ride. When the weather gets aggressive it is best not to take the wheel unless it is strictly necessary.

Highway driving tips

When driving on dangerous ground, remember that not all cars crossing the road may have winter tires or be prepared for precautionary driving. This means avoiding:

• Abrupt maneuvers.
• Getting too close to other vehicles.
• Blocking the way at intersections.

On this last point, be sure to read our article: How to merge into traffic without being in danger on the street?

2. Prepare tires for car rides

When it comes to driving on the street in slippery terrain, our priority is to keep an eye on the tires. That is, to make sure that they can cope with the tough driving conditions that the street demands of them.

Check the pressure

Check that your tires have the proper pressure level. Tread depth is extremely important and is one of the best tips for driving in snow.

Legal framework

Make sure you are aware of local regulations regarding all-season winter tires and snow chains.

In general, the tread depth of our tires when new is 8mm. Some local regulations require tires to be replaced when they have reached a tread depth of 2mm.

We invite you to read SAAQ’s new road prevention strategy 2021-2023.

Check tires

Note that highway driving in snowy or rainy conditions can be affected by tire tread depth and tread compound.

When driving on the highway in such weather, braking performance will gradually decrease as the tread depth decreases.

In addition, there is also the risk of aquaplaning, as the tread depth decreases – Visit our article: How to drive in a rain to learn more about aquaplaning—.

Therefore, it is essential to check tires regularly, reduce speed on wet and snowy roads and replace them before they become damaged.

3. A trick for beginners

Intuition and common sense might tell us that, in order to drive safely on the highway when it rains or snows, we should do the same as always, but pay more attention.

This is correct, to a certain extent, but there are also a few different maneuvers to perform.

A prudent speed

No matter what emergency you are dealing with. During a snowfall or monsoon, you cannot increase your speed, as doing so puts your life and the lives of your passengers at risk.

Starting

Starting slowly when the road is paved with snow, completely wet or with a layer of ice – something you may notice due to the darker and shinier appearance of the asphalt – is one of the best driving tips for beginners:

With a manual driving car, it is preferable to start in second gear, remembering that the clutch release should be very smooth, also avoiding full throttle.

4. Preparation protocol for driving in a snowstorm

Preparation is the key to success and just as we carry repellent for days in the field and sunscreen for days at the beach, it is important to have the right equipment for driving in the snow.

Preparation of the driver

• Check the soles of your shoes before riding. These should be clean and dry so as not to slip on contact with the pedals.
• Prepare an emergency kit. Not only to take care of injuries, but also to keep warm.

Preparation of the vehicle

• Before setting off, be sure to remove snow and ice from the windows, rearview mirrors and lights.
• If necessary, use warm water or antifreeze, but never use boiling water, as this can dissolve the plastic and rubber components and damage the electrical system.
• Remove snow from the roof of the car, to prevent it from accumulating on the windshield and obstructing the view.
• Make sure the windshield washer fluid is sufficiently rich in additives.
• Check that the wiper blades are in good condition and do not use them before cleaning the windshield.

We hope these tips will help you the next time you need to get behind the wheel in dangerous conditions. Be sure to read our latest article to find out what to do on a car ride.

On the Omega Driving School blog you will find a lot of valuable information to discover how to drive a car for beginners and much more.

Remember, Omega Driving School is committed to quality services where safety becomes the number one priority.