Snow cover on Houston’s parking lot. (Jan 2017)

“That time of the year” is upon us. October arrives and brings about Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It is a great time of the year for family, fun, and laughter, but it is also the time of the year that brings in a change of weather. Although we are thinking about snowy conditions just yet, there are other conditions that sometimes tend to be overlooked.

We encourage all of our drivers to follow these inclement weather safety tips, and you should too!

1. To prepare your vehicle for the weather conditions, begin by making sure you have good wiper blades. Luckily they aren’t too expensive, but it is recommended to switch out your blades at least every six months. It is also a good idea to apply water repellent to your windshield as well, since the glass is completely sealed.
2. Although your vehicle may have a warning indicator, it is still a good idea to periodically check that all of your lights are working before heading out. Carrying an extra bulb or two may also come in handy for those, “it was working just a minute ago,” moments.
3. Make sure to check the wear on your tires. Having a low tread or a “bald” tire only increases your chances of sliding across wet pavement since their is no traction to grab the road.
4. Be aware of invisible slick spots, such as wet leaves in the ground or even oil as these can cause loss of traction as well.
5. Be careful of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning usually happens when someone is driving too fast over a water-covered roadway, or when tires are worn out or bald. This experience can be quite scary because you can’t steer, stop, or do anything to control your car. If you find yourself hydroplaning, the best thing to do is to take your foot off the break and allow the vehicle to coast. Any sudden movement could cause you to spin out of control, so try to keep the steering wheel as steady as possible.
6. As the weather gets colder, ice becomes another major weather factor. Make sure to be aware of weather conditions before leaving the house so you can plan accordingly and travel to work safely, while still being on time.

While many of us love this fall weather and the chance to bundle up and drink cocoa, start decorating, or planning for the holidays, keep in mind the importance of traveling safely to and from your destinations during these hazardous weather conditions.

Fun fact: If ice is forming outside of your car mirrors, it is very likely that ice is forming on untreated roadways.