If you live in Southern California, many of your friends and relatives in other parts of the country may assume you never drive in weather that is anything but warm and sunny. That is not necessarily the truth, however. California is home to many mountains and you might want to go for a morning bike ride along the coast and then head up to the mountain for an afternoon of skiing, for example.
Because most days in the region do offer pleasant weather, it is important to get a refresher on safe practices when driving in snowy or icy conditions. As explained by AAA Exchange, one of the most important things you should do is allow a greater amount of distance between you and any vehicle in front of you than you would in normal condition. This gives you more space to stop safely. You should also reduce your speed as the posted speed limits are based on good road conditions.
When you do accelerate or decelerate, you should do so gently and slowly. Increasing speed too fast or attempting to stop quickly puts you at risk of losing traction and, therefore, sliding or skidding. When going uphill, you should avoid revving your engine in snow as this only increases the chance that you will spin your wheels.
This information is not intended to provide residents in Southern California tips for how to drive safely in heavy rain or snow with potentially slick roads so that they can stay safe and reach their destinations without being involved in an accident.
