Road and Traffic Safety Consultant Özgür Şener, who issued important warnings to drivers for safe driving in cold, snowy, icy, and foggy weather as the winter season makes its presence felt, stated that the safest action to take when weather and road conditions become difficult is not to drive.
Özgür Şener advised, “When the ground is slippery, reduce your speed, avoid sudden steering movements, and drive steadily without sudden acceleration or sudden braking.” He added, “Are the tread depths of your winter tires sufficient? They should be a minimum of 4mm.”
Şener stated that it is extremely important for electric vehicle users to check the heating system of their vehicles, adding, “Furthermore, they need to identify charging stations well so that they do not get completely stranded without electricity.”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty Member of Occupational Health and Safety Department, Road and Traffic Safety Consultant Özgür Şener, issued important warnings to drivers for safe driving in cold, snowy, icy, and foggy weather as the winter season makes its presence felt.
Do not drive when weather and road conditions become difficult!
Özgür Şener stated that the safest action to take when weather and road conditions become difficult is not to drive, saying, “If you do not have to drive for work, do not. Prefer to travel using public transportation. If this option is not possible, and if you absolutely must drive due to your job requirements or necessity, please consider these recommendations. You should always follow these recommendations.”
Reduce your speed when the ground is slippery!
Şener pointed out that in winter conditions, if you get stranded on any road, the conditions can be very challenging for both drivers and passengers, and stated the following:
“Remember that conditions that are difficult for you will also be difficult for other drivers, and always choose the safer option. When the ground is slippery, reduce your speed, avoid sudden steering movements, and drive steadily without sudden acceleration or sudden braking. Maintain your following distance to leave yourself a safe space. Although following distance is often said to be half your driving speed in meters, calculating distance is very difficult. On a dry and smooth surface, in clear weather, within the legal speed limits given for the road, taking the vehicle in front of you as a reference, when you count 'one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three' (3 to 4 seconds) to reach a point the vehicle has passed (a pole by the roadside, a tree), it indicates you are at an appropriate following distance. If the ground is wet, slippery, or uneven, or if the weather is foggy or hazy and visibility is insufficient, the following distance should be increased (to about 6 to 8 seconds).”
Do not use a mobile phone while driving!
Şener also reminded about distractions while driving, saying, “Rear-end collisions are fatal. The most important reasons are not driving with a safe following distance and using a mobile phone while driving.”
Preparation for winter conditions is vital
Özgür Şener continued, saying, “Make sure your vehicle is suitable for a safe journey. Before setting off, take the time to carefully check your vehicle.”
“If these conditions are not met, know that you cannot travel safely. The time and expenses you will spend to prepare your vehicle for the journey before setting off will be far, far less than the time and expenses of an accident or getting stranded on the road due to not meeting these conditions. Unfavorable situations that may befall you can have irreversible negative consequences.
Are the tread depths of your winter tires sufficient?
Are there deformations such as cracks or tears in your tires, and are your tire pressures appropriate? (The vehicle's appropriate tire pressures are found on the fuel cap, inside the driver's door, and in the vehicle's owner's manual. Tire pressure values are not changed between summer and winter; it is sufficient for them to be at the appropriate pressure). Are the tread depths of your winter tires sufficient? They should be a minimum of 4mm. Are all your headlights and lighting working? Is there any fault or warning information on the vehicle's indicators? Are the vehicle's ventilation, air conditioning, and window defrosters working? Ensure that your vehicle's energy supply is at a minimum of three-quarters of its total capacity. If possible, top it up every time it is half full. Even if it's not your fault, you can thus provide the energy you need in case you get stranded on the road. Check that the vehicle's wipers are sound, functional, and working by operating them.”
Always add antifreeze to your windshield washer fluid!
Özgür Şener also emphasized the importance of having the vehicle's systems for necessary engine heating in cold weather checked, stating, “Check that your windshield wiper fluid is sufficient. In winter months, water without antifreeze freezes, leaving the driver in a difficult situation. Always add antifreeze to your windshield washer fluid and, for circulation, clean your front and rear windows once after adding antifreeze. Clean all the vehicle's windows and all your mirrors that provide visibility, and ensure full visibility. For example; snow remaining on top of vehicles can fall onto the windshield when braking during driving, completely blocking the driver's vision and potentially causing an accident. Keep appropriate tools for this cleaning in your vehicle.”
If you don't use your vehicle, start it every 4-5 days
Şener also stated that with today's vehicle technology, there is no longer a need to keep vehicles running for a while before moving. However, he added, “You may choose to start your vehicle to understand if there is a problem with its operation, to warm up the interior a bit, or to clear any fog on your windows. Especially private-use vehicles are not driven for long periods in bad weather conditions and when there is a lot of snow on the ground. In such situations, we recommend starting your vehicle in place every 4-5 days without moving it. This way, you can ensure that all systems, including your battery, work properly.”
Chains compatible with the vehicle's tire dimensions must be present
Özgür Şener continued with his recommendations for safe winter driving, stating the following:
“An emergency may occur in snowy weather, and you may be forced to use your vehicle. For this reason, we recommend regularly clearing the snow from your vehicle. Do you have chains compatible with your vehicle's tire dimensions? Check if your chains are in usable condition. For this check, you should compare the size information on your tires with the numbers on the chain box. Winter tires will not be able to help you on roads that require chains. Remember that there will definitely be surfaces where you need to install chains. When you get out of the vehicle on wet surfaces, the bottoms of your shoes will get wet. When you press the vehicle's pedals, the wet shoe surface may slip on the pedal. If you have a suitable floor mat, wait on it for a short while to prevent slipping. Choose your clothing to be appropriate for winter conditions and for situations where you might need to get out of the vehicle for some reason. On snowy roads, vehicles can get stranded or delayed for various reasons. Considering the passengers in the vehicle, keep water and sufficient food in your vehicle. This is especially important for families with small children. Since the underside of vehicles is dry, stray animals like cats and dogs can sleep underneath. It is necessary to check if there is a living creature under the vehicle before every drive.”
Attention electric vehicle users!
Özgür Şener concluded by stating that it is extremely important for electric vehicle users to check the heating system of their vehicles, adding, “Furthermore, they need to identify charging stations well so that they do not get completely stranded without electricity.”