Winter Driving Driving Do’s & Don’ts

As I sit here writing about an imminent snowstorm, it's weird to see the sun shining brightly and temperatures in Ocean County reaching the mid-60's.

But we are indeed expecting an appreciable impact as we head into Thursday. So I figured this would be as good a time as ever to remind everyone of some of the important rules of the road when winter weather hits.

Do:
Clean all of the snow off of your car. Seriously, I'm not just talking about being considerate here (which, let's be honest, is a big part of it, too), but if you can't be bothered to clean the snow off of your car, it could cost you. To the tune of a possible $1,000-plus fine.

Don't:
Drive like a jerk. Yes, it must be great to have a big, heavy 4-wheel drive vehicle when the roads are snow covered. But as you're weaving in and out of other lanes, tailgating, and cutting others off, there are plenty of people who are just trying to get home to their families safely.

Do:
Make sure that your car is ready. Simple things like checking your tire pressure, filling your tank, and making sure that your wipers are in good condition and your washer fluid is filled up.

Don't:
Go out unless you really have to. The likelihood of schools being delayed or cancelled is pretty high right now. Of course we'll have the very latest with Ocean County Stormwatch, which you can get to by clicking here. But if it's a matter of getting some ice cream, returning that RedBox rental, or grabbing a coffee, best to stay off the roads altogether.

Do:
Drive smart. These are the situations where we all really need to pay attention to the best practices. Keep your speed reasonable, use your signals, keep your headlights on, and for heaven's sake don't tailgate!

What are some of your winter driving tips? Share with us in the comments section below!

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