While few of us will have to actually traverse a road made entirely of frozen water this season, for many, road conditions do worsen in the winter, and this can lead to issues with safety. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to make driving in the ice and snow as safe as possible. Read on to find out what they are.
EQUIPPING YOUR CAR
First of all, remember that when driving in ice the tread on your tires is crucial. In fact, many people choose to change to winter tires to increase this during this season, especially if they live in a rural area or location which is known to have a harsh climate.
Secondly, remember that ice and snow in the word increase your chances of becoming stuck or stranded. What this means is an emergency kit contain high-calorie food, water, and a blanket is essential After all, you don’t want to get stuck out in middle of nowhere and get hyperthermia while waiting for your a rescue team to arrive!
ON THE ROAD
Next, if you have to drive when it’s snowy or icy, remember that there are some things you can do to be safer in these conditions. Firstly, try to drive as smoothly as possible as this can minimize the chance of going into a skid, something that can result in you losing control of your vehicle.
Secondly, be sure to anticipate hazards and look ahead when driving. This because you will need longer to steer or stop because your tires will have less traction with the road in snowy or icy weather.
OTHER DRIVERS
It’s also crucial that you take notice and account for other drivers on the road when conditions are adverse. In particular, you need to leave plenty of room between you and other cars, so if anyone does stop or lose control you have enough time to anticipate this and do something about it.
Of course, sometimes no matter how cautiously you’re driving in such conditions, an accident will occur. If this is the case, it can be advantageous to know how to skid correctly in the moment, something you can find out more on below, as well as find a someone to provide you with legal support after the fact.
Luckily, Robinette Law is here to serve your legal needs when it comes to car accidents and making a case against others on the road that caused you to have an accident. Something that can help you make a claim for compensation that you can use to fix your car or be put towards medical or rehabilitation fees that the accident has left you owing.
SKIDDING
Lastly, if you are going to drive in snowy or icy conditions it’s essential that you understand how to ski properly. First of all, although your instinct may be to break hard, try to ignore this.
Instead gently pump the breaks while steering into the skid, as they can show slow you and religion you while allowing you to regain control of your vehicle. Something that can make a massive difference to your safety when it comes to driving in snowy and icy conditions.
Photo Credit: Bentley
