Winter driving tips

• Always use seat belts

• Adjust speed to road and weather conditions - lower speeds minimize crashes.

• Keep a safe stopping distance between vehicles, and leave extra room between your vehicle and snow plows or other removal equipment.

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly on icy/snow-covered roads to retrain traction and avoid skids.

• Do not use cruise-control.

• Do not "power up" hills, which may cause wheels to spin. Build momentum before reaching a hill and don't stop while traveling uphill. Reduce speed going downhill.

• Know your brakes - keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of the foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.

• Give yourself plenty of travel time - don't put your schedule before safety.

• Clear snow and ice from vehicle windows, hood, headlights, brake lights and directional signals.

• Headlights must be turned on when it is snowing or sleeting.

Source: The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

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