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Safe Winter Driving
December 14, 2009 | Permalink
Good driving habits and proper car maintenance are smart ideas during the holiday and winter seasons. Whether you are driving your personal car to a family gathering or picking up a rental at the airport, there are precautions you can take to make this a safe and happy season.
The California State Automobile Association offers some very good suggestions for your winter driving. While their entire list is worth reading, one suggestion, being prepared by knowing local driving conditions, is Road Warrior's favorite. For up-to-the-minute information on traffic conditions, most mapping websites offer useful tools. Google Maps, for example, lets you plot a trip and then click the “Traffic” button to see current conditions. If you are planning ahead, change from “Live traffic” to “Traffic at day and time.” While not perfect, this site can help you plan travel around traditionally tough traffic spots.
If you will be traveling the same route multiple times, consider using a tool like Traffic.com's Driving Alerts. After entering your route, you can choose to be contacted by phone, SMS text, or email when certain conditions develop.
If you will be traveling with children, especially in bad weather, be sure that the child safety seats are as safe as possible and properly installed. Because this is such a critical issue, the California State Automobile Association offers free child car seat inspections at locations in Northern California, Nevada and Utah for members and non-members alike. Drivers in other states can visit the Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Locator offered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In addition, often times, your local fire department or police department will provide a courtesy car seat inspection.
Perhaps the easiest way to improve both fuel economy and road traction is to be sure your tires are properly inflated. For a few dollars and a quick trip to the local auto supply store, you can have a tire gauge that is simple to use and saves you money. Most gauges are small enough to take along and use on a rental car. After all, good fuel economy and improved traction are as important with a rental as they are in your own vehicle.
One final recommendation on holiday and winter travel is to be as rested and alert as possible. That means frequent stops and getting a good night’s rest. When it comes to delivering a comfortable and affordable place to stay, no one beats Extended Stay Hotels. With a Best Rates Guarantee and nearly 700 hotels to serve you nationwide, Extended Stay Hotels is always the right choice for a comfortable, convenient, and affordable hotel room.
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