Important Snow Driving Tips (you might not know)

Last year was ridiculous with all the snow and ATA was closed for like two weeks!  I think we've gotten tougher since 2010 and with that, I want to give out Mr. Hayhurst's 10 safe driving tips for the winter/ snow storms!!  Read through to the bottom.  Many people have been telling their kids, friends, and loved ones these things for years, but at least now you have the 'why' to back up each statement!

1.  Make sure your car is full of windshield wiper fluid!  The salt on the roads mixed with melted snow make your windshield look dirty and you end up using a ton of it!  Especially if your car has headlight sprayers!
2.  Warm up your car first! This helps melt off some of the ice stuck on your windshield wipers and other easily-damaged car parts.  It can help you clean your car off faster.  Put on the back window defroster, front window defroster, and seat warmers if you have 'em
3.  Get an ice scraper with a brush!  Brush off those big hunks of snow because when you drive, it's dangerous for other vehicles when it falls off
4.  When you brake, do it in a straight line!  If you brake and turn at the same time, race car drivers called PLOWING.  That means your tires are turned and you are still going in a straight line.  This is also caused my turning at too sharp of an angle when going to fast
5.  Take extra room for braking!  It's a mystery what's under each patch of snow so just in case, brake smooth and lightly and allow extra time to get to that stop light or turn.  Don't worry about that crazy guy honking at you from behind in the big 4x4!
6.  Use the gas pedal instead of the brake!  If you feel like you're plowing, sliding, or slipping, let go of the gas pedal to slow down a little instead of hitting the brake pedal.  The friction of snow will slow you down a lot when driving and sometimes it's enough to stop you.  Hitting the brake too hard will cause you to slide.
7.  Allow plenty of extra time to get to where you need to go! Duh!!  But the point is, other people go SOOO SLOWWW and you should be more careful anyway.
8.  Keep your cell phone in your pocket, tight!  If you end up sliding off the road, your phone won't get lost under the seat, etc.  Hopefully, it never comes to this but at least you won't be texting while driving!
9.  Keep your front window defroster on!  This keeps ice from forming on your wipers, which will make it impossible to see!  If you put the air on your face because you're cold, it will make your windshield colder and cause it to freeze.  If you're still cold with it on, turn the temperature up a little.
10.  Have somewhere to go!  If you don't have somewhere to go, then don't drive.  Make sure even if you're snowed in for a week, you should still get a good workout in.  If it's safe to drive, get to the gym or ATA Elkton.  If it's not safe to drive, go to Warriorxfit.com and do the workout of the day.  Working out helps cure cabin fever and it's much easier than trying to beat me in Call of Duty: Black Ops (you have no chance)
BONUS:  Don't bring your car into the karate school's parking lot to do donuts please - I will beat you up!  :)