Snow and rain can make roadways slick and obstruct your view of wildlife and other obstacles in the way. To avoid accidents and the need for collision repair, you’ll have to adjust your driving habits for winter weather. Here’s some advice on how to get to your destination safely. 

How to Drive Safely in the Winter

1. Add a Few Seconds to Your Following Distance

Never ride the bumper of the car in front of you. If the driver stops short, you won’t have time to react. In addition to collision repair for your car, you might be legally responsible for fixing the other motorist’s damage. Whereas a following distance of at least three seconds is recommended in good driving conditions, you should increase the time to five to six seconds when driving this winter. This separation will give you time to see the conditions ahead and respond accordingly. 

2. Drive Slow to Avoid Deer

There are approximately 1.5 million auto collisions with deer each year. They can blend in easily with the snow-covered background, making it hard to see a deer run across your path. To avoid a dangerous collision, drive carefully and pay attention to your surroundings. For example, practice caution and turn on lights at dusk and dawn, when the creatures are out in the open the most. If you see one deer, slow down. The animals travel in groups and there might be more nearby. 

3. Leave the Phone on Silent

You should never text and drive, as you can’t watch the road with eyes on your phone. During winter, it can be hard to control the vehicle in slippery conditions with one hand on the wheel and the other texting. Put your phone on silent during the drive, as it will curb the urge to respond to every alert. If it’s too distracting, you can put the device in the glove compartment until you reach your destination. 

Even when practicing defensive driving, you can’t predict how others will behave on the road. For prompt collision repair following an accident in the Monroe County, NY, area, contact the professionals at Heinrich Collision. Serving motorists in Hilton and Spencerport since 1957, the I-Car Gold Class-certified technicians provide 24/7 towing and thorough repairs. Call them at (585) 392-7800 if you need services, and learn more about the company online.