Winter driving is stressful enough with the slick roads and reduced visibility. Most of us focus entirely on keeping our own vehicle on the road, gripping the steering wheel and praying we do not slide into a ditch. However, there is a secondary danger that many drivers completely overlook.
It is not just about how you handle your car; it is about how your vehicle interacts with the people driving behind you. Neglecting certain winter prep steps does not just endanger you; it creates hazardous conditions for everyone else on the highway. We need to talk about the habits that turn your car into a mobile weapon.
The Roof Iceberg Danger
We have all seen it happen. A car merges onto the highway with a mattress-sized slab of snow on its roof. As the vehicle speeds up, the wind catches that slab, launching it backward like a projectile.
If that hits the windshield of the car behind you, it can shatter the glass or completely blind the driver instantly. This is not just rude; it is illegal in many states. Clearing your roof is not optional; it is a moral obligation to your fellow drivers.
Driving with Foggy Windows
It is tempting to hop in the car and start driving while the defroster works its magic, peering through a small porthole in the windshield. This tunnel vision means you cannot see brake lights or pedestrians in your periphery.
Furthermore, many drivers forget to turn off the air recirculation button. Recirculating moist breath inside the car makes the fog worse. You need fresh air intake to clear the glass effectively. If you cannot see the mirrors, you are not ready to pull out of the driveway.
Ignoring Your Tail Lights
In a snowstorm, your car creates a vortex of snow and slush behind it, which plasters the back of your vehicle in white grime. This can completely obscure your tail lights and brake lights.
If the person behind you cannot see you braking, the risk of a rear-end collision skyrockets. A quick wipe of your rear lights before you leave a parking lot can save you from a whiplash injury. It takes ten seconds and makes you visible to the exhausted driver behind you.
The Four-Wheel Drive False Confidence
Having four-wheel drive helps you get going in the snow, but it does absolutely nothing to help you stop. Many SUV drivers overestimate their traction and drive too fast for conditions, assuming their vehicle is invincible.
When they inevitably spin out, they become a massive, sliding hazard that other drivers have to dodge. Respect the ice, regardless of your drivetrain. Your ability to accelerate does not equate to an ability to corner or brake safely.
Running Low on Wiper Fluid
Winter roads are covered in salt and grime that gets kicked up onto your windshield, turning it an opaque gray. If you run out of washer fluid on the highway, you are effectively driving blind.
You will be forced to pull over dangerously or slow down unexpectedly, creating a hazard for the flow of traffic. Keep a spare jug in the trunk; it is a safety essential. The salt spray can blind you in seconds if you aren’t prepared.
Warming Up in an Enclosed Space
This is a danger to your immediate family rather than other drivers, but it is worth mentioning. Remote start is a luxury, but using it while the car is in a garage—even with the door open—can lead to carbon monoxide buildup in the home.
The exhaust needs clear, open air to dissipate. Snow blocking the tailpipe can also force deadly gas back into the cabin. Always ensure your vehicle is outside before you let it idle.
Be a Considerate Winter Driver
Safety on winter roads is a collective effort. Taking an extra five minutes to clear your roof and check your lights protects the mother driving her kids to school behind you.
It is a small act of consideration that prevents tragedy. Winter is hard enough without having to dodge flying ice from lazy drivers.
Have you ever had a close call with snow flying off another car? Share your story in the comments.
What to Read Next…
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- Driving Blind? The Headlight Rule for Rain and Fog Everyone Forgets
The post The Snow-Launch Problem: 6 Winter Car Mistakes That Can Hurt Someone Behind You appeared first on Budget and the Bees.
