When winter weather hits, it’s important to take extra precautions to stay safe on the road. Here are some winter driving tips to keep in mind:

1. Make sure your tires have proper tread and that your car is equipped with winter tires if necessary. This will help you get a better grip on slippery roads and keep you from losing control of your vehicle. Also make sure that your tires are properly inflated to give you the best grip on the road.

2. Avoid using cruise control when road conditions are slippery or icy, as this can increase your risk of sliding or skidding. Instead, drive slowly and carefully at all times.

3. Increase your following distance so that you have plenty of room to stop or slow down if needed. This will also give other drivers more time to react if you need to change lanes or take evasive action.

4. When driving in winter weather, it’s important to avoid stopping whenever possible. Instead, try to slow down gradually and steer around any obstacles that you encounter on the road.

5. Accelerate and decelerate slowly, taking care to maintain control of your vehicle. This will help prevent skids or other dangerous situations from occurring.

6. When going up a hill, never stop while you’re still going up. Instead, continue driving until you reach the top of the hill before stopping. Trying to stop on a hill can result in you sliding backwards into other vehicles.

7. Keep your exhaust pipe clear. If it gets covered in snow or ice, this can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your vehicle, putting you and your passengers at risk.

8. Keep your gas tank at least half full during the winter. This will help ensure that you always have enough gas to make it to the next gas station, even if roads are closed or traffic is backed up due to winter weather.

9. Finally, make sure that you have an emergency kit in your car. This should include things like a flashlight, blankets, a winter coat and boots, a first aid kit, water, nonperishable food and any other supplies that might come in handy in case of an emergency situation on the road.

With these winter driving tips in mind, you can stay safe and in control on the road this winter season. Whether you’re heading out on a long road trip or just running errands around town, take these precautions to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.