Driving Safely on Icy Roads The best advice for driving in
bad weather is DON'T.
Avoid unnecessary risk and don't make any
journeys that you don't need to. Most main roads (bus routes, arterial roads) are
gritted by the local authorities. If the weather is extreme then ploughs
are allocated to roads as appropriate. Gritted roads are dependent on
volume of traffic to help the salt and grit to break up the ice and melt
it. If you plan your journey for 5am you are likely to be one of the
first on the road and will have a difficult drive, to leave at 7am with
more vehicles moving about it will be a safer drive; because the salt
and grit will be active you will be less likely to skid. To begin your
journey after 9:30am will be safer again, the daytime temperature will
be higher and the quantity of vehicles involved in the school run will
have helped clear the local roads as well as the main roads of ice. Clear most of the snow from your car, make sure your
windows/mirrors and lights are free of snow. As your car warms up any
snow on your car will thaw, this means snow on the bonnet will blow onto
your windscreen, also when you slow down any snow on your roof will
potentially slide forward onto the screen. 4 X 4 drivers frequently make the assumption that
their vehicles can cope, BUT, they haven't considered that their tyres
are the same as everybody else. 4 wheel traction means nothing unless
the driver and the vehicle are prepared! Space: Potentially it will take you up to ten
times longer to stop, so plan further, act earlier, and prevent the
situation so you won't have to react to the situation. Awareness.....
Planning...... Anticipation...... 90% of the prevention of an accident
is anticipation. Lights: Turn your lights on,
people will be more aware that you are moving. Brakes: Avoid using the
brakes harshly to stop, use the brakes to slow down and encourage the
weight of the car to stop you. The brake pedal does two things, firstly
it brings the brake lights on: This alerts people behind you. Secondly
it slows you down. A manual car will actively slow down with a lower
gear, (engine braking) when driving on ice or in treacherous conditions
keep the engine speed low by using higher gears. When slowing down use a
lower gear with brake lights. (engine braking) A majority of todays modern
cars are equipped with a version of anti-skid braking, this avoids the
traditional method of dealing with a skid, cadence braking. (pumping the
brake) Check manufacturers handbook for your braking system or local
garage will offer advice. If your wheels are stuck in
the snow, avoid spinning the wheels as this will dig you in deeper. Turn
your steering from side to side to push the snow out of the way and
gently, very gently accelerate until you feel traction returning then
ease off the accelerator. Sand, salt, grit or gravel in front of the
tyres will help increase traction.
Home 01708 340095 e-mail Bruce@brucedrivingschool.com Mobile 07748 990 443
