The other day, an SUV was westbound on Route 120 approaching the light at Wonder Lake Road. Though the vehicle wasn’t moving very fast, apparently due to a dusting of snow on the road, the vehicle suddenly spin around until it came to a stop facing backwards in the right-turn lane.

Fortunately, no one was approaching the turn intending to turn north on Wonder Lake Road. Even more fortunately, the SUV didn’t spin into the approaching lane of traffic as someone was beating the light eastbound on 120.

The point is that, when the roads are slick, there’s an entirely different nuance to the art of driving. Safe driving in the winter starts with increased attention to the road. An extra dose or two of caution is a good thing, too. There is, however, more than you should do if you want to come through the season with you and your loved ones intact and your vehicle unscathed.

One of the first things to do is to check your tires. Proper inflation (see your owner’s manual) is imperative.  But, there’s more to it than that.

“You need to look at your tires and check the tread,” said Denny Norton, owner of Ringwood based Performance Unlimited auto repair shop. “Having healthy tread on your tires is crucial in the winter.”

Norton said he has clients who store a set of winter tires in the spring, summer and fall. When the weather begins to turn, they come in to change out from summer to winter tires.

“There’s no small difference that tires make when driving on slippery roads,” he said. “Even if you don’t have a special set of tires for the winter, in these parts, you’ll probably want to make sure you have a good set of all-season tires on the car.”

Another important factor to consider is your vision. Avoid the temptation to drive with windows that are only partially cleared. This may mean you’ll have to leave the house a little earlier so you have time to clean the windows properly but it’s well worth the effort. Reaction times are challenged when roads are slick and the ability to see what’s going on around you is more important than ever.

Good wiper blades, plenty of washer solvent and an effective defroster in the dashboard are also critical. Even if the windows are clear when you pull out of the driveway they can frost up without heat from the defrosters. Snow, slush and salt will conspire as a nasty combination on your windshield that will seriously reduce your vision.

Norton also offered a warning for those who operate 4-wheel-drive vehicles.

“4-wheel drive will help you get going in snowy conditions,” he said. “It doesn’t have an appreciable benefit when you try to stop on a slippery road, though.”

Everyone at Performance Unlimited wishes you a safe winter driving season. For more information, call Performance Unlimited at 815-728-0343 or visit www.4performanceunlimited.com.