{"id":4253,"date":"2021-12-22T07:41:40","date_gmt":"2021-12-22T15:41:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/?p=4253"},"modified":"2021-12-22T07:41:42","modified_gmt":"2021-12-22T15:41:42","slug":"winter-driving-tips-for-oregon-drivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vernfonk.com\/blog\/car-insurance\/winter-driving-tips-for-oregon-drivers\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Safety Tips for Driving in Oregon This Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

January is the coldest month of the year in Oregon, with an average daily temperature of 25.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Parts of the state can get as much as 10 inches of snow annually. Motorists like yourself can encounter icy, slippery roads, poor visibility, and a greater risk of mechanical problems. It\u2019s the kind of weather in which you wouldn\u2019t want to be stranded for long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the risk for accidents goes up in these conditions, having the best and cheapest Oregon car insurance<\/a> in place is critical. Here are some other great tips to keep you and your family as safe as possible when behind the wheel this winter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s Your Winter Safe Driving Checklist\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Winterize your vehicle. With cold temperatures<\/a> arriving, this is essential. If you have a favorite quick-stop oil change garage, they can handle most of the winterization your car will need to stay at least minimally safe. That means an oil change, new filters, a radiator flush, and antifreeze. Your service rep should also check tire inflation, headlights, taillights, and brake lights to make sure they\u2019re all in good working condition during these most challenging months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Brakes\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your brakes feel tentative, you should also make an appointment with a brake shop. Better safe than sorry, especially under the slip \u2018n slide driving conditions you\u2019re likely to find at least part of the time. You want to be able to stop as quickly and safely as possible when the weather gets bad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Tires\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Make sure you have a good set of tires<\/a> under you. Old tires with poor tread give you little grip on the road and are likely to cause slipping even when the pavement is dry. Imagine how hard it can be to gain traction when the road under you is wet or icy. Visit a trusted tire dealership and ask about preferred tire brands for seasonal driving. Invest, if you can, in a good set with a dependable winter grip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Fully-charged Phone\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fully charge your phone and be sure others know where you are. No matter how careful you are, accidents can (and will) happen. This is especially true during sudden snowstorms when visibility is poor, and roads are slippery. Whether you must make a police report, call 9-1-1, or get a tow truck, you don\u2019t want to leave your vehicle during a snowstorm to search for a phone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You especially don\u2019t want your teenage drivers to be left on the side of the road without dependable communications, especially if they\u2019re out late at night. So make sure that no one leaves the home without a fully-charged phone and that every driver in the family leaves word of where they\u2019ll be and when they will be back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Survival Kit\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Keep a \u201csurvival kit\u201d in your car. This kit can be life-saving help if you plan to drive in rural or under-populated areas where help isn\u2019t always seconds away. Your kit might be a box in the trunk, a backpack, a small suitcase, or another container big enough to hold what you\u2019ll need. You need these items if you get stranded with a dead battery or a vehicle that slid into a snowdrift. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might have a different idea of what your kit should contain, but we recommend at least the following: <\/p>\n\n\n\n