The key to any kind of poor weather is to slow down. Here are some specific tips.

• Fog � Try to avoid driving in dense fog. If you have to, set your headlight to dim or low beam. Pull over as far from the road as possible if visibility is so poor that an accident is likely.
• Rain � Keep your lights on whether it�s day or night. Use your defroster to keep the windows from fogging up and reducing visibility.
• Snow and Ice � Keep plenty of space between yourself and the car in front of you. Brake gently and turn slowly.

Keep an eye out for the others at intersections. Make sure they are going to stop before you pull into the intersection. If you wait a few seconds after a green light you could avoid an accident with someone running a red light.

Tailgating usually happens because drivers don�t understand how much braking room they really need to make a complete stop. Under ideal driving conditions you should keep at least 3-4 seconds between yourself and the next car. You can gauge this by selecting something like a tree or road sign. When the car you�re following passes it, start counting, �one one-thousand, two one-thousand.� If you cross the landmark in less than 3-4 seconds then you are following too closely.

Driving one-handed can be dangerous because you could lose control of your vehicle if suddenly struck by another car. Keep your hands comfortably on both sides of the steering wheel. Keep a look out down the road for obstructions you may need to steer away from.

Driving late at night is a necessity for some of us, but staying awake at these times becomes increasingly difficult. If you start to get drowsy behind the wheel:

• Pull over to a safe place until you feel more alert
• Lower the temperature in your car by rolling down the window or turning on the air conditioner
• Share the driving with someone else in the car

You are many times more likely to get into an accident while talking on your cell phone than someone who isn�t. It�s recommended that you use a hands-free device or pull over if you need to talk on the phone.

Many terrible accidents happen in the breakdown lane when a passing car clashes with a parked one. Do not use the breakdown lane for naps, eating, or phone conversations. However, if there is an emergency:

• Pull as far away from the road as possible.
• Activate your emergency flashers so that you will be more visible to other drivers. You can even use warning triangles, flares, or portable warning lights.
• Get help immediately. Call a tow truck or the police if needed. You can also raise your hood, tie a white cloth to your mirror, or leave a sign in your back window.

Driving with kids in the car can be especially distracting. Have a plan to settle arguments in the car. If your child drops something, don�t attempt to reach for it. If things get too far out of hand pull over to the side of the road until things calm down.

This cannot be stressed enough. Making sure they were at the correct tire pressure could have prevented most accidents caused by tire failure. Check with your owner�s manual for your car�s recommended tire pressure. Check your tires often for signs of cracking, worn spots, bulging, or shallow tread.

If you�re not wearing your seat belt correctly then it may not save your life in an accident. Make sure that your lap and shoulder belts are snug, wearing your lap belt on your pelvis and not your stomach. Your airbag is meant to work with your seatbelt and will not keep you from flying out of your car by itself.