There’s a good reason why ice hockey and ice skating are so popular. It is a great pleasure to slide across the ice at light speed. However, it’s not so fun when you’re in a vehicle and the road is submerged in ice. There are many common factors between driving on ice and driving in snow. For instance, in both situations mentioned, you need to move calmly and slowly, neglecting any sudden braking and acceleration. Some additional considerations need to be taken care of while learning How To Drive Safely On Snowy And Icy Roads. Here are some tips and tricks that will help you out when you’re stuck in such a situation.
General Precautions
Icy roads can be extremely treacherous, so first consider whether you need to go out by car at all. We advise you to question yourself whether the destination is worth a potential accident’s emotional and financial cost.
Utilise the radio to collect information about the conditions. Weather forecasters will often inform you if there are particular hazard zones, and this may guide you to decide whether to venture out or not.
The significant contrast between ice and snow is that snow is easy to notice, whereas black ice blends so well into the road texture that you often don’t know if it’s present, and the moment you realise that it’s present, it’s too late. It is a fantastic idea to utilise your vehicle’s thermometer as a guide. If the thermometer displays the air’s ambient temperature as close to freezing, you need to be extremely careful.
Watching other drivers around is also a way to detect ice on the surface. You have probably entered an icy area if you notice them sliding or spot vehicles veering off the road.
If you discover yourself in such surroundings that makes you nervous, take a pause and either find an alternative mode of transportation or wait for the temperature to increase.
How To Drive Safely On Snowy And Icy Roads
1. Keep an eye on other drives to check if they are affected by the icy surroundings.
2. Keep a check on the ambient temperature so that you can get prepared for icy conditions.
3. Drive calmly, carefully and slowly.
4. Keep track of the weather forecast and avoid zones of concern
5. If you skid, move the steering in the same direction as the rear of your car is moving.
6. Increase the gap between you and the vehicle ahead of you.
Via: Tenor
Additional Tips On How To Drive Safely On Snowy And Icy Roads
If you do desire to drive, here are some driving tips to keep you safe and help you enjoy the thrilling experience.
When driving on ice, you need to keep a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle surrounding you. This could be ten times more than if you drive on dry roads. For instance, if you take 23 metres to stop when going on a typical sunny day at a speed of 30 mph, it would take a minimum of 239 metres to stop at the same rate in case of ice.
Take the help of chains to keep you going on such roads. Using chains helps create friction against the sliding snow surfaces and makes the journey easier. Just wrap your tires with the chains and ensure that you tie them durably to avoid inconvenience.
Unfortunately, if you do hit a piece of ice and initiate skidding, move the Steering wheel in the same direction as the rear of your vehicle is gliding. If the end of your car is sliding in the right direction as your shoulder, rotate your steering wheel to the right. Similarly, if your vehicle rear is sliding in the same direction as your left shoulder, move your Steering wheel to your left.
Note: Don’t stamp your foot on the brake as this would cause your tires to lock up, and do not take your hands off the steering wheel.
Hail storms can accompany icy situations. These messy situations can limit your visibility, so; it’s the best idea to pull off the road if safe to do so. You are ideally stopping somewhere that’s covered, like under a bridge. Change your vehicle’s direction towards the hail so that your windshield withstands the majority of the force, avoiding the side and rear windows. Your windscreen is more capable of protecting you than any other windows installed on the vehicle. Therefore, wait for the storm to pass before resuming your journey.
It’s always best to carry a charged mobile phone for communication in case you need help, or you can get stuck through your journey.
Conclusion
The best way to be safe in such driving conditions is to be patient. Let cars that tailgate you go by and take your time. For more articles on automobile content, stay tuned to Auto Tech Portal.
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