Safe Mountain Driving Tips

Colorado Road Trips

Winter Driving in the Mountains

Safe Mountain driving is key for a successful Colorado road trip. The spectacular mountain views, winding roads, higher elevation, changing weather and wildlife can cause several potential accidents if you are not prepared. Following a few safe mountain driving tips can help ensure your Colorado road trip doesn’t take any detours.

Windshield Wiper Fluid. Be it winter, summer, spring or fall, make sure your windshield wiper fluid is full - and carry an extra gallon in your trunk! Cars and trucks can cause a lot of dust on your windshield, not to mention the ever changing mountain weather.

Antifreeze. Check your antifreeze and be ready for colder temperatures even during the summer months.

Check your Tires. Having enough air pressure in your tires is very important for safe mountain driving. Make sure your tires also have enough tread so they can handle winter driving conditions. Most tires have tread bars so if the tread is worn down you can see a solid bar of rubber across the width of the tread.

Car Care Package. Mountain weather is ever changing so a sudden rain storm or afternoon snow is highly likely. Be prepared in case you have car problems. Plan ahead and bring an extra warm blanket, raincoat, compass, flashlight, first-aid kit, matches, extra clothing, a pair of walking shoes and your cell phone along with its charger. Food and water are also highly recommended.

Fill your Tank Up. Mountain driving in Colorado is much harder on your vehicle than driving on flat land and you use more fuel going up the mountains, especially steep passes during the winter months. Make sure you always have a full tank of gasoline before setting out on your Colorado road trip.

Slow Down! When going down long, steep mountains put your car in low gear to control speeds. If you use your breaks too much it can wear out the break pads making them less reliable and may result in an expensive trip to the repair shop.

Yield to Cars Going Uphill. The standard rule of thumb is to give cars going UPHILL the right-of-way.

Let Drivers Pass: Slowing down on turns or to view scenery is acceptable. However, if traffic begins to build up behind you (more than two cars), pull off to the nearest shoulder and let other drivers pass. Additionally, if you plan to driver slower speeds make sure you remain in the right-hand lane unless you need to pass.

Break Early and Leave Room Between Cars. The twists and turns of mountain driving can result in using your breaks a lot. Make sure you leave plenty of room between you and the car ahead of you, especially during cold weather. Even though it might not be snowing, mountain roads are known for hidden ice patches. Additionally, trucks take longer to stop so make sure you leave enough room between your car and trucks in front of you. Usually about 200 feet is recommended - that is about 15 car lengths. Leaving a lot of room between you and the cars ahead of you can also save your windshield from nasty cracks from kicked up rocks.

Watch out for Bridges During Cold Weather. Bridges are dangerous during cold weather so slow down and take it easy. Bridge decks are typically one of the first things to freeze in the winter and usually one of the last to thaw so they remain dangerous throughout the season - even if it is not snowing do not be fooled!

Night Driving: Plan to use your high beams during the evening hours, being considerate of oncoming traffic, so you can see potential hazards ahead of time. While you may not be able to see a deer in the middle of the road right away, you will be able to see the reflection of their eyes from your lights in advance so you can slow down.

Four-Wheel Drive: While four-wheel drive is highly recommended in the mountains it is not going to prevent you from getting into an accident. Four-wheel drive was designed to help you pick up speed faster and maintain more control of your vehicle but it will not help you slow down if you hit an icy patch on the road.

Cruise Control Doesn’t Always Keep you in Control. If it is below freezing outside it is best not to use cruise control. If you hit an icy patch and even slightly touch your breaks you are likely to lose control of your car.

Wash your Car. After your mountain drive make sure to wash your car! This is especially important to do during the winter months since the anti-icing chemicals used on the roads can cause corrosion.