Safe Driving Tips

  • Know your travel route and the weather conditions in advance.

  • If you must travel in adverse conditions, pack a winter survival kit.

  • Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.

  • Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.

  • Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.

  • Keep your lights and windshield clean.

  • Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.

  • Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.

  • Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.

  • Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.

  • Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

Preventing Winter Slip and Fall Accidents

  • Kick snow and ice off boots and shoes before entering the building.

  • Wear rubber-soled shoes with flat heels for better traction.

  • Walk in designated walkways as much as possible.

  • When walking on ice, take short steps and walk with toes pointed slightly outward.

  • Use special care when entering and exiting vehicles.

  • Use handrails if they are available and avoid inclines and other dangerous areas.

  • Remember proper falling techniques - try to let your entire body absorb the fall, rather than a hand or elbow. Relax as much as possible when you begin to fall, and if you are carrying something relatively heavy, toss it away.