Looking for the very best bad weather driving tip? Here it is: Don't do it!

If Old Man Winter’s kicking up a storm, the best place to be is indoors, dry and warm. It may be true that neither rain nor hail nor sleet shall stay these couriers from their appointed rounds, but you’re not a mailman and you probably should be “stayed.” Most likely, the appointed rounds will wait.

But sometimes, you can’t. Sometimes you really do have to get to work, or deal with an emergency. Sometimes you have to hit the road despite a lot of winter nastiness mucking things up and bad-weather driving is unavoidable. So here are some tips for keeping safe in bad weather driving conditions.

Before You Hit the Road

• Start the car for a few minutes before getting into it. Turn on the defroster to make sure the windows are not fogged up.
• Check all systems before pulling out. Is there anti-freeze in the radiator? Do the tires have the correct air pressure? Check all the lights. You want to be sure you can both see and be seen. Clean the headlights as dirty ones can cut way down on visibility. And check the windshield wipers. If the blades are too worn or bent to scrape the water cleanly from the glass, they can actually make it harder to see.
• Plan your route. Study a map to see if you can avoid the worst of the bad driving weather by going another way. Take the map with you in case streets are blocked by rain or snow or visibility is so bad you miss a turn.
• Take a cell phone and make sure the battery is charged. If you get stranded, you want to be able to call for help.
• Give yourself extra time. Running late? Too bad. Remember, it’s better to arrive late in one piece than be carried in on a stretcher… or not at all.

On the Road Bad Weather Driving

• Slow down. Speed will make the car harder to control and braking more difficult on slick wet or icy roads.
• Increase your following distance. In harsh condition, when braking takes longer, it’s a good idea to double the “cushion” of distance between you and the car in front of you.

Here are some bad weather driving tips for specific conditions:

In Rain

• Turn on your headlights, even in daylight. It will help other drivers see you through the rain.
• Remember that the most dangerous rainy road is one that’s newly damp. The first mist of water brings oils naturally found on dirty roadways to the surface, making the surface slick as ice.
• Avoid puddles. You can’t tell how deep they are or what’s lurking down there—like potholes or speed bumps.
• Brake more gently and earlier than normal. You’ll have less chance of skidding and the driver behind you will have more time to stop in bad weather driving conditions .

In Ice and Snow

• Pay special attention driving over bridges and in shady places. Bridges freeze first and thaw last. They may have black ice even if they look clear.
• Maintain a slow, steady speed. Keep rolling so you don’t get stuck in drifts.
• Avoid sudden braking to keep your brakes from locking up. Brake gradually.
• Watch for slow-moving snow plows. Don’t pass them. They don’t like it, and they are bigger than you. And wider.

In Fog

• Turn your lights on, low beams only. High beams are pointed upward and reflect off that wall of fog, bounce back at you, and reduce visibility.
• Stay as far right as you can, especially if you can’t see the middle line. You don’t want to stray over it and meet an oncoming car.
• Open your window to let your ears do what your eyes can’t. Listen for cars you can’t see.

In a Hailstorm

• Get under some shelter, such as a bridge or overpass and wait out the storm. Hail stones hurt! They don’t do much for your car either. Some bad weather driving tips are just meant to get you out of the way.

In High Winds

• Pay extra attention to sudden open spaces or bridges that can create wind tunnels. Sudden gusts can push you out of your lane.
• Use extra caution around large trucks and vans that can disrupt the wind patterns.
• Keep both hands on the steering wheel to maintain control of the vehicle.
• Watch for dust storms that may be kicked up by the wind. They’ll cut down on visibility.

Be Smart

When the weather turns really bad, get out of it. Find shelter. Never try to outrun a tornado, chase a whirlwind or beat a flash flood. When a bit of rain turns into a thunderstorm with lightning, get off the roads and inside someplace safe. When experiencing bad weather driving conditions your biggest asset is your knowledge, so use your head.