Avoid Winter Weather Driving Hazards

Winter driving can be hazardous for any motorist, but for those who operate a vehicle on the job for many hours in the course of a day, driving in cold weather can be doubly dangerous. While there are some things that are beyond a driver's control when behind the wheel, one of the major ways to reduce or eliminate hazards is to start out with a vehicle that is in proper working order. With that in mind, here is a list of items to check prior to operating your vehicle:

• Be sure to check and maintain proper tire pressure. Cold temperatures cause tires to lose air more quickly during the chillier months. You can find your vehicle‚s recommended psi rating on the driver‚s side door paneling and/or the owner‚s manual.
• When driving in snow/ice, you‚ll need the best traction possible from your tires so check treads for wear and replace them if they show excessive wear. Rotating tires every 5,000 miles also helps them wear more evenly.
• Consider using a synthetic motor oil. Synthetic oil is recommended over conventional oil for the cold weather as the oil is designed to protect engines in a wide range of temperatures. Although synthetic may cost more initially, it lasts as much as three times longer than conventional oil which translates to 15-24 quarts less oil you will need to replace annually.
• Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a winter cleaning solution that has an antifreeze component — this will prevent the liquid from freezing.
• Be sure to update your emergency road kit with winter weather necessities, including:

       - An Ice Scraper with Brush

       - Blankets

       - Safety Light Sticks

       - Safety Triangles/Collapsible Traffic Cones

       - Emergency Flares

        - Shovel

        - Tow Chain

        - Traction mats or a bag of salt, sand, or cat litter