Tips for Safe Driving in Winter Weather

Driving has always been a hazardous activity, but never more so than today, with more congestion, road rage, mind-altering substances, and distractions than ever before. Add the hazards posed by winter weather and you have a potential recipe for disaster.

Snow, ice, freezing rain, and poor visibility present a whole new set of challenges, and require extra caution when driving. The following strategies will help keep you safe when the snow is blowing, the temperature is freezing, and you’re dreaming of being somewhere else:

Reduce speed. Your traction is reduced, so your speed should be, too. Don’t be pressured by cars behind you, and don’t worry about being somewhere late. Start your trips a little earlier to account for the extra time.

Increase your following distance. In normal conditions, you should maintain at least a 3-second following distance from the car in front of you. Add another second for each additional hazardous condition. For example, driving in snow would require a 4-second following distance. Driving in snow at night would require 5 seconds.

Brake much more carefully. Too much pressure on the brakes will send you skidding. With today’s anti-lock brakes, you don’t pump the brake pedal. Maintain constant pressure while braking and you will have better braking and steering control, even in slippery conditions.

Be wary of icy areas. Slow down and be alert when approaching areas where ice forms most readily—bridges, overpasses, shady spots and intersections. If the rumbling sound of your tires on the pavement suddenly ceases, get off the gas immediately—it may be black ice.

In snow, drive in the ruts. Traction is better in the tracks made by tire traffic, so stay in the ruts. If you must change lanes, grip the wheel firmly and move slowly and smoothly.

Stay home! In really bad weather, postpone or avoid all but the most essential travel.

Don’t be Seduced by Four-wheel Drive. At low speeds you’ll realize some additional traction, but at normal driving speeds four wheel drive doesn’t give you much more traction in snow or ice, or even help you stop more effectively or quickly.

Check Your Traction at Low Speed. When you first enter a road in dicey conditions, check the traction by carefully applying the brakes at low speed.  Sometimes snow can have reasonable traction, or a seemingly dry road can be treacherous because of ice crystals embedded in the pavement.

When You Lose Control of Your Car

If, despite following all of the above, you do lose traction and the back-end of your car starts to slide, don’t compound the problem. Many drivers react to a skid by using the brakes and then overcompensating with steering. Braking transfers weight to the front wheels and takes weight off the back wheels, usually causing the skid to worsen.

When your tires lose traction or your car begins to skid, immediately get off the gas and do not brake. Turn the steering wheel in small increments in the same direction that you want the front end to go until you regain control and can proceed at a safer speed.

By following the above tips you can stay out of trouble while you wait for the return of dry roads, warmer weather, and salt-free driving.