While most people stay off the roads when extreme weather hits, traveling is sometimes unavoidable. To stay safe in these circumstances, it’s best to drive defensively, but knowing what you should look out for can prevent accidents as well. From choosing tires to avoiding trees, here are three tips for staying safe when driving in hazardous conditions.

How To Stay Safe When Driving in Bad Weather

1. Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms are unpleasant to drive in, period. Thunder booms and lightning flashes are alarming, not to mention blinding. If driving conditions worsen, slow down and pull over with your emergency flashers on until it’s safe to continue. Avoid parking under trees in case they’re struck by lightning or come down in the storm, remain in your car, and avoid touching any metal. Rubber tires make cars one of the safest places to be when out during a storm, even if lightning hits it.

2. Wintry Weather

Before leaving your home, remove all snow from the roof of your car and de-ice all the windows. Don’t use hot water to do this as it can crack the glass or freeze over again once you’re moving. Use a scraper or de-icing spray and turn up the heat inside your car. Kentucky doesn’t get the highest amount of snow, but you can still be cautious and replace your regular tires with winter tires at the end of fall. While these will help grip the road better in icy conditions, always drive at a safe pace. Keep in mind that one of the most significant hazards in wintry weather is other drivers. While you may drive carefully, other people might be erratic or nervous on the roads and inadvertently cause accidents.

3. High Winds

Something is disconcerting about feeling gale-force winds howling against your car. First, you need to maintain as much control over your vehicle as possible. Second, be mindful of who you’re sharing the road with. Tall cars, like semi-trucks, feel the wind much more than other vehicles and might need a wider berth than usual. Smaller cars might struggle to drive in a straight line, and those coming towards you could swerve onto your side of the road. Monitor trees blowing to show which direction the wind is coming from. You don’t want to relax and pick up speed only for a gust to catch you unawares.

When severe weather damages your car, reach out to You Save Auto Repairs. Based in Covington, KY, their team is the leading auto repair specialist in Kenton County. They pride themselves on delivering comprehensive car care at competitive pricing and with a quick turnaround time. They’re also reputable tire dealers and partner with well-known tire brands. Whatever your automobile trouble, give the team a call at (859) 360-3465 or complete the online inquiry form to schedule an appointment today.