As The Weather Gets Bad, The Driving Gets Worse

If there’s one thing most people can agree on, it’s that as soon as the first trace of snow appears, the streets fill with the worst bunch drivers their city has to offer. It’s as if people suddenly forget how to drive and, for those who remain functional, the road rage rages on.

You may think that your city has the worst drivers in the US and it just might. Yonkers Honda, a car dealership based in Yonkers, NY, conducted a study on the worst winter weather drivers across the US using a number of metrics. These metrics included snow volume, snow frequency, commute times, preparedness of the city, and years between insurance claims. According to the study, the city with the worst driving in winter weather overall was… Worcester, Massachusetts.

For those from Worcester, this may come as no surprise and for those from elsewhere, it may be a good idea to avoid the New England city until the weather warms. The residents of Worcester aren’t the only ones guilty of poor winter weather driving, though, with Bridgeport, Connecticut coming in second in the study and Baltimore, Maryland and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania closely following in third.

If you do find yourself having to venture to one of the aforementioned cities, or anywhere else that experiences icy and/or snowy conditions for that matter, it’s important to know the basics of maneuvering your vehicle safely. Driving in snowy and icy conditions can be a treacherous feat and you must remain cautious if you do have to take to the roads. Some top pointers to keep in mind are: don’t drive too fast, keep a safe distance between you and the person in front of you, don’t slam on your brakes (gradually brake or pump your brakes instead), and, especially if it is snowing/icing at the moment, drive with your headlights on to increase your visibility to other drivers.

Not only should you perform safe practices while driving, but you should also take precautions before you get behind the wheel to ensure a faultless trip. This includes making sure that your car tires have a deep enough tread to ensure the best traction on the slicker-than-usual roads (snow tires and/or tire chains may be something to consider). It’s also crucial to make sure you are constantly checking your tire pressure and making sure your gas tank is at least half full at all times. Before departing check that your exhaust pipe is clear as a clogged pipe can put you and your passengers at risk for carbon monoxide. To prepare for the worst, keep a supply of blankets, non-perishables and a portable charger on hand and always tell someone what your route will be.

It’s always best to avoid driving in poor weather conditions, but if you must it’s important to use safe driving practices. For those from Worcester, Bridgeport, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and anywhere else with extreme winter weather conditions, safe travels and there’s only a couple short months until spring and warmer weather!