Catch a Few Quick Tips for Steering Safely Through the End of Winter!

Though it may be true in some parts of the country that the winter season is officially coming to a close, the risk for winter dangers certainly still persists in many areas, including our own, as well. In a time when the consideration of winter weather safety may be losing steam in the minds of drivers, we find it important to take a moment to remind our customers of the present dangers of surprise winter weather, which only become more threatening when it’s easy to forget about them. For drivers in places like the Chicagoland area, the constant imposition of difficult conditions provides many drivers with a sense of persistent readiness, but many still remain who have yet to learn firsthand how these issues can arise and how best to deal with them year-round. Now, we’ve got a few tips to help anyone who may still be looking for a leg up on the last of this year’s icy hazards.

According to a recent report detailed in a story for the Chicago Tribune last month, a group of vehicles parked on an iced-over portion of Lake Geneva were submerged when the thin ice predictably gave way. The event goes to show that many are still unaware of the dangers of driving in icy conditions and of how to be specifically considerate when driving in areas that are commonly subject to large changes in the landscape due to the winter season.

The first step is, perhaps unsurprisingly, to be as familiarized with your environment as possible. Don’t be afraid to do what it takes when traveling in an unfamiliar place, however close to home it may be, to seek advice on common local hazards. Situations like the above mentioned occurrence may easily be avoided with a little bit of advice from those who know the area. When it comes to the specifics of driving on a frozen body of water, be familiar with testing procedures. Take note that experts recommend eight inches of ice for a car to safely drive, and an entire foot to accommodate a heavy duty vehicle. Be considerate of combined weight – don’t park cars close together. All in all, safety experts agree that the task should be undertaken only with due consideration and only as a necessity for the activity at hand.

Off the lakes, however, the danger of snow and ice buildup can still present issues well into the year. When addressing these issues, experts concur that the most important safety tips relate to avoiding situations like sliding and spinning, rather than how to deal with such things once they occur. Safely navigating through a dangerous maneuver stands as a process that many professionals consider to be a matter of serious training and not something that average drivers should consider themselves capable of handling in a pinch. With that in mind, trusted automotive resources like Edmunds recommend keeping tires and wipers fresh, considering a vehicle with electronic stability control if you live in a snowy area, and in making the process a little more fun than usual, even taking the time to learn some extreme road dynamics on a go-cart course. Be safe out there, and keep an eye on us here at Lexus of Highland Park for more helpful tips and plenty of news for a new season!