Florida drivers in many cases don’t think that they need to learn how to drive in winter conditions. After all, sunny Florida, even in winter, often does not see the blizzards, white-out conditions, black ice, and other road hazards that other states routinely see in winter months. However, there are still many good reasons why Florida drivers should learn how to drive in winter road conditions and extreme weather conditions.

Winter road conditions lead to many hazards and can cause car accidents. Even good drivers, when confronted with black ice or other winter weather conditions, can lose control of their vehicles and cause a collision. Car accidents in the winter claim many lives, and also lead to many serious injuries, including burn injuries, fractured limbs, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and other serious problems. Florida doesn’t usually get extreme weather in the winter, but Florida drivers do sometimes take their cars outside of the state. Plus, Florida does occasionally see some colder-than-usual winter weather. Therefore, learning to drive in wintry conditions can help keep Florida motorists safe, year-round.

Florida drivers learning to drive in winter conditions can do so safely by:

1) Getting supervision and instructions. One of the best ways to learn how to drive in winter weather is to practice driving in snow or ice. A good instructor can help you learn how to steer and break in bad conditions. This sort of instruction is invaluable, and is often useful in other types of extreme weather, not just in snow or ice. Developing winter driving skills can help you in hurricane conditions and other extreme weather conditions, too.

2) Proceeding with caution. If you are not used to winter weather and you suddenly find yourself having to drive in snowy conditions, drive only during the daylight hours unless absolutely necessary, and proceed with caution. Drive only where you can see the road conditions and the weather more clearly, and take your time. Slowing down is one of the best ways to stay safe in harsh weather.

3) Choosing winter driving conditions carefully. It is inadvisable to let your first driving experience in winter weather take place during a big snowstorm. If possible, try driving in a very light snow to gradually allow yourself to become acclimatized to driving in winter.

4) Staying sober. Drinking makes bad weather conditions even riskier. You need to stay sober so that your response times are spot on.

5) Keeping emergency equipment in the car. An emergency kit that includes a change of clothes, flashlight, a cell phone, jumper cables, a blanket, an ice scraper, a first-aid kit, and other essentials is a must, no matter what sort of weather you driving in.