This winter has been long and cold and its not over. Winter storms have slammed parts of the country setting snow and ice records in many cities. At Insurance Doctor, we are concerned for your safety on the road. If there are bad road conditions the safest thing to do is stay home. If you must travel on the icy roads, Insurance Doctor offers some tips for how to drive safely:

Always wear your seat belts.

Don’t automatically assume your vehicle can handle bad road conditions. Even a four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicle can have trouble on winter roads so drive cautiously.

Decrease your road speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. Allow more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.

Brake gently to avoid skidding. Ease off the brakes if your wheels start to lock up.

If your car starts to skid, turn the wheels into the direction of the skid.

Turn on your lights even during the day. This will increase your visibility to other drivers.

Do not use your cruise control on icy roads.

Watch out for bridges and overpasses because they will freeze before the other roads.

Don’t try to pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The road in front of them is probably in worse condition and the driver has limited visibility.

New Years Eve is one of the most dangerous nights of the year to be on the road. Studies show that there are more drunk drivers on the road this night than any other night of the year.  If you are heading out on the town to bring in the new year or just hanging out with friends and you plan on drinking, you need to have a plan on how you will get home. Insurance Doctor has some tips to keep you safe:

Choose a designated driver – Pick someone who promises not to drink and who will make sure everyone gets home safely. Offer to pay this person for his or her services. This will make the person more likely to commit to the responsibility.

Take a cab – Consider taking a cab or public transportation to and from your holiday event. Many organizations offer free cab service on New Years Eve. Do some research ahead of time and write down the phone number in case you need it.

Do not use the cell phone while driving – Even if you have consumed just one glass of wine or beer, alcohol in any amount can impair your ability to drive safely. Don’t compound the problem with the distraction of driving and talking on a cell phone. This includes the designated driver too. Driving on new years eve involves full attention to the road. Be aware of other drivers on the road that may have been drinking.

Have a Safe and Happy New Year!