If you live in the Richmond area, and you’ve driven for any significant period of time, you probably have a good idea how to drive in the snow. If you’re a newer driver, you may not be as familiar with driving on Richmond and area roads in the winter.

This week, winter has decided to test your winter-driving acumen. If you’re a new driver, and this is your first winter behind the wheel, even the thought of hitting snow-and-ice-covered roads can test your nerves. Even if you’re a seasoned driver, you need to make the adjustment from your summer driving style to your winter style.

What does it mean to adjust your driving style to fit winter driving? Here are some suggestions you’ll want to take to heart:

• Get accustomed to your brakes. Try them out a few times before you NEED to use them to avoid an accident. You’ll want to know that you can stop without sliding into cross traffic when approaching an intersection. You’ll want to know you won’t slide into the car in front of you if they have to stop.
• Speaking of the car in front of you – increase the distance between your car and other cars on the road. The safe distance on a dry road is not sufficient on a snow- and/or ice-covered road.
• Accelerate slower and allow more time and distance to decelerate. 
• Reduce your speed in general. The distance required to stop increases when the roads are coated with snow and ice. Give yourself a better chance by slowing down.
• Put some snow tires on your car. Snow tires can make a dramatic difference in providing you with greater traction in the snow. This is a great thing, as long as you don’t over-drive the conditions because you’re placed too much confidence in the snow tires.
• Don’t think your 4-Wheel-Drive vehicle will help you stop any better. A 4-Wheel-Drive vehicle can give you an edge to get going but it won’t provide any appreciable advantage when stopping. This is why you may notice a disproportionate amount of 4-Wheel-Drive vehicles in ditches and snow drifts on winter roads; the drivers were lulled into a false sense of confidence because their vehicles were able to accelerate faster.

If you follow these tips, you have a better chance of surviving our current Richmond winter safely and without any new dents in your car.