Driving Safely in Winter Weather Conditions

Driving Safely in Winter Weather ConditionsWe’re not accustomed to driving in winter weather conditions in the Metro New Orleans area. Icy roads are not part of our norm. Black ice, a thin, transparent coating of ice on the road, can be very dangerous. Because it is transparent, the color of the road shows through and makes it extremely difficult to distinguish. If you do not know how to handle the situation if you encounter black ice while driving, an accident could easily occur and endanger the lives of others on the roads. Should you encounter black ice while you’re driving, here are two tips to help you through safely:

-Remove your foot from the accelerator to allow your vehicle to slow down into a stop without pushing down on the brake. Using the brake could cause your vehicle to slide out of control.

-Steer straight because moving the steering wheel could cause loss of control.

Before leaving the driveway, it may be necessary to de-ice your vehicle or de-fog your vehicle’s windshield. There are ways to prevent this from happening as well. To de-ice your vehicle, a 3 to 1 ratio of rubbing alcohol or white vinegar to water can be mixed in a spray bottle. Mist the icy areas and watch the ice melt quickly. Straight rubbing alcohol or white vinegar can be used on the windshield and windshield wipers the night before to prevent them from freezing up. To prevent your windshield from fogging up, an onion half can be rubbed on the exterior of the windshield the night before. If you’re the proud owner of a feline, you could put some kitty litter in an old sock and place the sock on the dashboard. The kitty litter will absorb the moisture as it collects in your vehicle. Another way to prevent your windshield from fogging is to wipe plain shaving cream on the interior of the windshield. The coating of shaving cream will keep your windshield clear.

If you’re not confident in driving in winter weather conditions, call the expert drivers at Alert Transportation to take you where you need to go. We take Driving Safely seriously. Contact our sales consultants at (504) 362-4145 for more information and to make reservations today. Let the good times roll!