Winter Driving Safety Tips

Driving Tips from the Auto Body Professionals at C&L Auto Body

Winter has slammed Southern California this year, bringing record low temperatures and lots of rain. In fact, after several extremely dry years, a map released by the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that enough moisture has fallen this season to put the worst of the drought in our rearview mirrors. While many So Cal residents appreciate the unusual increase in moisture, an unfortunate side effect is an increase in the number of weather-related automobile accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 17 percent of all vehicle crashes occur during winter conditions. If your car is involved in a collision, we will be happy to help get you and your car back on the road as quickly as possible. But here are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of on-the-road accidents.

Before You Go

• Make sure your vehicle is in optimal condition.
• Check your car thoroughly for leaks, badly worn hoses, or other needed parts, repairs, and replacements.

Know Your Car

Make sure you will be able to anticipate the way your car performs in slippery conditions.

• Every vehicle handles differently. This is particularly true when driving on wet, icy, or snowy roads. So, take time to learn how your vehicle handles under winter weather driving conditions.
• Clean snow, ice or dirt from the windows, the forward sensors, headlights, tail lights, backup camera and other sensors around the vehicle.
• Sharpen your winter weather driving skills by practicing in an empty parking lot.
• Refer to your vehicle manual to familiarize yourself with relevant features on your vehicle, such as antilock brakes and electronic stability control.
• Determine whether your vehicle has an antilock brake system and, if so, learn how to use it properly.

Vehicle Safety Checklist

When temperatures drop, so does battery power. Make sure your battery is up to the challenges of winter.

• Ask your mechanic to check your battery for sufficient voltage, amperage and reserve capacity.
• Inspect the charging system and belts.
• If necessary, replace the battery or make necessary system repairs, including simple things like tightening the battery cable connections
• Improve visibility! Check headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, and interior lights.

On the Road

• Keep your gas tank filled.

  

• If road conditions are hazardous, avoid driving if possible.
• Whenever possible, wait until road and weather conditions improve before venturing out in your vehicle.
• If you must drive in hazardous conditions, proceed with care.
• Since it is more difficult to stop on a slick or snow- or rain-covered surface, increase following distance so you’ll have plenty of time to stop.
• Avoid risky driving behaviors like texting or eating while you’re on the road.
• Don’t fall asleep at the wheel!
• Obey the speed limit.
• Drive sober. Alcohol and drugs impair perception, judgment, motor skills and reaction time.
• If you have antilock brakes, apply firm, continuous pressure to the brake pedal.
• If you don’t have antilock brakes, you may need to pump your brakes if you feel your wheels starting to lock up.

  

The “go-to” location for auto body repair and classic restoration in the San Gabriel Valley since 1970 is C&L Auto Body. We pay attention to detail, provide courteous service, and offer fair and affordable prices. If you select C&L to repair your car, our concierge service will help make your entire auto body repair process easy on you. We will help arrange for a rental car and deal directly with your insurance company. C&L Auto Body is owned and operated by the Buonsanti family, who strives to treat clients like family. Come by the shop 781 E San Bernardino Road in Covina. Or you can email, call (626) 445-6630 or visit www.CandLAutoBody.com.