Click to hear our ad: WINTER DRIVING 

Cold weather in Southwest Michigan means winter driving hazards. Drivers often aren’t prepared for winter driving and forget to take it slow.

Before leaving home, find out about the road and driving conditions. When the roads are icy or snow covered:

• Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
• Brake gently to avoid skidding. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), press the pedal firmly and hold it. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
• Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
• Keep your lights and windshield clean.
• Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
• Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
• Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first.
• Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road ahead of them worse than the road behind.
• Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles encounter trouble on winter roads.
• Leave plenty of time to reach your destination safely. It’s not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to be on time.

Safe drivers know the weather and their limits. The best advice for driving in bad weather is not to drive if you can avoid it. Remember: Ice and Snow, Take it Slow, or just don’t go.

For more information on winter driving in Michigan, go to the Michigan State Police Safe Driving Tips website.