SGI focuses on winter driving as temperature cools

SGI is highlighting winter driving etiquette and intersection safety as we cruise into colder weather.

The insurance company is giving drivers some tips to reduce their chances of a collision as we enter the busiest season for accident claims.

According to SGI:

• Expect the unexpected — Remember IPDE: Identify, Predict, Decide and Execute. The more you pay attention to what is happening and could happen, the better prepared you’ll be to prevent a collision.
• Don’t rush the light -– Be sure you have room to clear the intersection. If you don’t, a minute or two is not long to wait for the next green compared to the delay you’ll deal with if you end up in even a minor collision.
• Keep your headlights and taillights clear of snow — It won’t prevent you from slipping but it does make you more visible to other drivers and can prevent them from colliding with you.
• Be gentle — Gentle acceleration, gentle braking and smooth steering keep your car in control and prevent sliding on slippery roads. Increase your following distance to give yourself plenty of room to stop.
• Buckle up — Even if you’re careful, others on the road may be in a rush and that can lead to collisions. Be ready for anything and buckle up, every time.

SGI spokesman Tyler McMurchy says it’s important to get your vehicle winter ready before the first major snowfall of the season.

“Winter is definitely over-represented when it comes to the collisions that we see in a given year,” he said Monday. “You don’t want to be involved in the rush of trying to get in at your local tire shop when everybody else is when the first big snow dump happens.

“It’s maybe time to start giving that some thought and making that appointment sooner rather than later.”