The Superbowl blowout last week overshadowed a big prediction. According to official forecaster and world-famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, six more weeks of winter are in store for us.

With this year’s freezing temperatures (hello polar vortex! You can leave now!) and southern snowfall, Phil’s statement is no big surprise. But as winter weather accidents have shown, people need to brush up on their winter driving skills.

Want to avoid winter weather accidents? Here are some driving tips to help in wintry conditions.

Winter Weather Driving Tips

All experts agree that the best way to handle dangerous winter weather is to avoid driving when possible. If this isn’t an option, our winter weather driving tips should be easy to remember when the driving gets tough.

Tips for Driving in Winter Weather: Snow

When the winter weather forecast calls for snow, follow these driving tips:

• Accelerate and decelerate with caution, applying your gas slowly to avoid skidding and regain your traction. Remember that every driving will take longer when there’s snow — so be sure to leave with enough time to drive safely, and give yourself enough time to stop and turn.

• Always use threshold breaking. In this maneuver, you keep your heel planted to the floor and apply steady, firm pressure to the brake pedal with the ball of your foot.

• Don’t power up the hills, as accelerating on snow causes your wheels to spin out. As you near a hill, use inertia to get to the top, then slow at the crest of the hill and coast down.

Tips for Driving in Winter Weather: Ice

Icy roads can cause terrible car accidents. When winter weather strikes and brings the ice, follow these tips to prevent accidents:

• It’s harder to stop when the roads are icy, and winter weather can make your car skid. Always drive slowly and leave 3 times the normal amount between your car and other vehicles.

• To avoid skidding on the ice, be gentle when using your brakes. If you feel your wheels locking up, be sure to ease off the brake.

• Use your lower gears to maintain your traction when driving on hills.

• When winter weather kicks in, don’t use overdrive or cruise control. Also proceed with caution on overpasses, bridges, and infrequently-used roads, as these are prime areas for black ice or snowy conditions.

Rear wheels skidding?

• Take your foot off the accelerator.

• Steer the direction you intend front wheels to go (i.e. when your rear wheels slide right, steer right. When they slide left, steer left).

• If your rear wheels slide in the opposite direction during recovery, just ease the steering wheel in that direction. Try alternating steering left and right to control the vehicle.

• If you have standard brakes, pump them gently. If you have anti-lock, do not pump them — instead apply a steady pressure. (It is normal to feel anti-lock brakes pump at this time).

Front wheels skidding?

• Take your foot off the gas and shift into neutral. Don’t try to steer immediately.

• You’ll feel your car slow and traction come back as you slide sideways. While traction returns, steer in the direction you intend to go.

• Finally, put your transmission in drive or release the clutch. Accelerate slowly.

If winter weather gets the best of you, Pete Franklin’s Best Cars KC has a wide range of high-quality pre-owned vehicles, including many that handle well in Kansas City’s hazardous winter weather. We also offer vehicle service to repair cars after winter weather driving takes its toll.

Browse our large inventory of used cars here and call (816) 533-6905 to learn about getting your car serviced or buying a new, used car today!