With temperatures dropping after two days of severe rainfall, some parts of North India will experience severe snowfall in the coming days. That said, throw in a mix of dense fog and driving conditions get worse. While some may be indoors, enjoying the holiday season, others have to carry on with regular life, which involves going out. For those who do so, here are some essential tips for driving in snow and low visibility conditions.
Essential tips for driving in snow and low visibility conditions
Check all lights and electricals
Before even heading out, check all the lights – headlight, turn signals, tail lamps, fog lamps, wipers, heaters, etc – and ensure all are working. If anything is out of place or not working, do not risk taking out the car because you will be putting other road users in danger. A good rule is to also check the tyres to see if they are in good condition and the tyre pressure.
Slow and steady does it
One could have commuted on a certain route a thousand times and know it at the back of their head, however, everything changes on a slippery surface and when visibility is low, so slow down. Do not use the hazard warning lights while driving as this will only confuse vehicles behind you. Instead, leave the headlights on low beam and turn on the fog lamps. Keep a steady pace and look as far ahead as possible, giving you enough time and space to break or avoid obstacles.
Watch the uphills and the slopes
Keeping a steady pace matters and this becomes even more critical if the vehicle is two-wheel-drive. Front-wheel-drive vehicles usually perform better owing to the engine weight above the wheels, while rear-wheel-drives can kick their tail out if acceleration is too hard. Finesse is the answer here, so be extra cautious. Also, if the vehicle is equipped with traction control, leave it on. If the vehicle has a snow drive mode, choose it. If you have a 4WD, choose 4H. Also, keep the vehicle in a low gear to help with better control.
Swap to snow tyres and yellow fog lights
For added safety and if you’re a regular driver in the snow, switch to tyres that offer better grip in the snow. If the snow is too much, you can also opt for snow chains for better traction. The other area you need to pay attention to is the fog lights. Most cars are equipped with white lights and they can be useless.
If you have the option to fit fog lights, we highly recommend the option for yellow ones, as they have a better throw in foggy conditions and offer better visibility. Just remember — high beams just blind other road users, so keep it in low beams. Better illumination is better light, not high beams.
