Winter is in full swing, and most of us have already had our first hard freeze.  For many of us, winter brings our favorite holidays and family gatherings.  It also brings an increase in travel, and sometimes some treacherous weather.  The National Weather Service makes the following suggestions for staying safe during the holiday season:

• Slow down.  Leave yourself three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
• Keep your lights on to increase your visibility.
• Avoid using cruise control in icy conditions.
• If your rear wheels do start to skid, take your foot off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. And if you have ABS, don’t pump the brakes.  Just apply them gently.
• If your front wheels start to skid,  take your foot off the gas and put the car in neutral.  As the tires start to skid, turn the wheel the way you want to go.  When you have regained traction, shift back into drive and proceed slowly.

If road conditions are hazardous, the best thing to do is stay put.  If you have to get out on the road, knowing the right way to drive in snow and ice can make the difference between whether or not you reach your destination.