5 Tips for Safe Travel To & From Our Preschool in Ypsilanti

Are you preparing for another brutal winter?

It’s hard getting back into the groove of winter driving, but we live in Michigan, so we just have to deal with it!

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are certain things you should know before hitting the roads this winter, including:

1. Get your car serviced- Have them check your battery, hoses, cooling system, tires, washer fluid, windshield wipers, defrosters, etc.
2. Know your car- Take the time to practice driving in the snow before you hit the main roads, because every car handles differently.
3. Plan your travel and route-Check the weather, road conditions, and traffic; plan to leave early if necessary.
4. Stock your vehicle- Carry a snow shovel, ice scraper, kitty litter, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, blankets, cell phone with charger, water, food, and medicines.
5. Learn what to do in a winter emergency-Stay with your car, don’t run your car for extended amounts of time, put bright markers on the antenna or windows, and keep the dome light on.

We hope this information will help you keep you and your family safe this winter season. Are there any other winter driving tips that that we didn’t mention that you’d like to suggest to other parents? Please let us know in the comments!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are winter tires necessary?

Winter tires are designed for colder temperatures, and slush, snow, and ice. Their traction is better than all-season tires. If new tires aren’t in your budget right now, make sure all your tires have a least a good tread. A good tread is 4/32-inch or deeper, “replace soon” at 3/32, “replace now” at 2/32-inch.

Does Michigan offer any winter driving classes?

Yes, Michigan does offer winter driving classes in different areas. Places that teach winter driving classes include Motor City Driving Academy and Michigan Tech Keweenaw Winter Driving School.

How do you brake with anti-lock brakes versus not having them?

If you have anti-lock brakes, apply firm constant pressure to stop. If you don’t have anti-lock brakes, you need to pump your brakes to a stop, which requires a little planning in order to stop in time. 
 
At Little Angels Preschool in Ypsilanti, we’re dedicated to our students’ health and well-being. If you need help with alternate routes due to the winter driving season backups check out the following traffic apps: Sigalert.com, Waze Social GPS, Maps, and Traffic, and Beat the Traffic Plus+.