This is something that far too many Michiganders forget how to do. Snow comes every year without fail, yet every first sticking snowfall of the year turns a bunch of experienced drivers into fifteen year old drivers’ ed. students. Listen, if you can’t remember the rules of driving in the snow and ice, either put a yellow sign on top of your car and stamp the back with a reflector that reads “Driver In Training” or don’t get behind the wheel. So, in case you are one who has forgotten, I have provided a condensed list of general rules to follow (you can get the full version here):

1. Be prepared – snow tires, chains, full tank of gas, warm clothing and an extra blanket or two.
2. Slow down – if you’re going too fast, antilock brakes won’t help you, and on ice those big ole’ tires will only help once you’ve landed yourself in a ditch.
3. Look ahead – leave plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you – four car lengths for every 10 mph you are traveling. I was way off on this one but was kindly corrected by my driving guru (the hubby).
4. Break before you enter a corner – the key word here is before. Before.
5. Practice the smooth and effective use of the vehicle’s controls – know thy vehicle and how it handles.
6. Be informed – again, know thy vehicle and where the bulk of it’s weight resides.
7. Learn how to control a skid – the hubby’s advice to everyone for this is to practice on an empty, snow covered parking lot. Experience will burn those instincts on your memory so they’ll be there when you really need them.

Be safe people. Leave yourself plenty of drive time. It’s better to be late than dead!

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