If you live in areas where the winter brings in heavy snow, there are certain things that you can do to make life easier when you have to drive in it. Although most people know the basics of how to drive in snow, there are some that are crucial to know.
But learning these defensive driving skills may save you trouble and even help to avoid an accident if you take preventative and proactive methods when driving in snow.
.Keep Your DistanceSome drivers like to “hug the bumper” of the car directly in front of them during good weather. This means that the safety rule of keeping at least one car length of distance per every 10 miles per hour, isn’t followed. If anything, this distance should be doubled when you drive in snow.
Driving too close to the car in front of you, especially at higher speeds during freezing winter weather, can cause rear-end accidents, and according to insurance companies, the driver who rear ends the other car is always at fault.
Ease Up on the AcceleratorMany cars loose traction on snow because they are driven as though it wasn’t snowing. Quick acceleration from a stop can cause your tires to lose traction immediately, and you may find yourself stuck in the snow at worse, or spinning in place at best.
When starting from a stop, accelerate gently. If you are on a hill, accelerating smoothly is even more critical.
Don’t Slam the BrakesIf you keep your distance from the cars in front of you when you drive in snow, you’ll have a good safety margin in order to come to a stop gradually. In any case, it’s a good idea to gradually brake rather than slamming them on.
Sudden stops will make the car skid and break the traction of your tires from the road. If your car is ABS (anti-lock braking system) just apply firm and steady pressure to the brakes.
With ABS brakes you’ll be able to steer the car while you are braking, but if your car isn’t equipped with ABS brakes and your wheels lock up, just release pressure on the brake pedal and pump them gently to regain traction.
In a Skid, Turn the Way You Want to GoIf your car hits a patch of ice or starts to skid in snow, what should you do? Your first natural reaction is to slam on the brakes, but this only worsens matters.
The best way to get a car out of a skid is to turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the car to go, while easing off of the accelerator. If the rear of your car starts to skid to the right, steer the car back on the road by gently steering right and vice versa.
Take Sharp Corners SlowlyIt’s natural to feel that accelerating out of a sharp turn is the best way to drive, but this is only true in good weather. When you drive in snow, it’s just the opposite—take it slow in the snow so your tires don’t skid.
Source:
WikiHow