THE ARRIVAL of winter can cause various problems for drivers and require them to change the way they drive, according to MasterDrive CEO, Eugene Herbert.
“A person cannot change the weather, but he can change the way he drives to change the outcome of the difficult situation he is driving in,” said Herbert.
He said here’s what usually happens in winter:
Bridges are cold
Bridges are not like roads that get warmth from the ground they are on because they have cold air blowing under and over them. “This causes the bridge to lose heat quickly. At 5.30 in the morning, the bridge can be much colder than the road it connects to. Drivers will not be aware of the danger until the car takes a different route,” said Herbert.
The distance a car takes to stop is increased on a cold and wet road
Even if you don’t see snow or ice, the cold and wet road reduces the tire’s grip on the road. “The distance a car takes to stop can be doubled compared to summer when it is dry. Drivers who leave the same distance between themselves and the cars they are following are deceiving themselves,” said Herbert.
Check your tires before the cold weather arrives
The air in the tires decreases when it is cold. “Poorly inflated tires reduce road grip and increase the distance the car takes to stop. This, when combined with the road conditions that already require a long stopping distance, makes it very difficult with poorly inflated tires,” said Herbert.
It’s rainy in the afternoon
Although winter driving tips focus on driving in the morning, driving in the afternoon has its own risks. “The sun can blind you. If you combine that with the tiredness of the day and the early evening, you also have to be careful on the way home,” said Herbert.
Fatigue is different in winter
“Drivers who are able to wake up easily in the summer may find that the same alarm time is difficult in June. The decrease in natural light makes the body slow to get out of sleep. Being aware of this is important to reduce the risk,” said Herbert.