Winter is a time that drivers often dread. It’s uncomfortable outside, and cars bring additional troubles: they need to be cleared of snow, warmed up before driving, and the risk of accidents increases. One of the main causes of winter accidents is ice on the roads. Therefore, it’s essential to learn how to drive properly in such weather conditions to avoid accidents.
Choosing Tires
There is a common belief that it’s safer to drive on tires with a large tread pattern on icy roads. This is not true; it has long been proven that tires with a finer tread pattern are more reliable. This conclusion is based on their greater elasticity and grip on icy surfaces.
Even better are tires with a radial tread pattern or studded tires. The latter option is optimal for sudden braking on winter roads.
Braking Correctly on Ice
The behavior of a vehicle when braking on ice is significantly different from that in summer. While hard braking in warm weather yields results, it will cause loss of control in winter. Experienced drivers recommend not to press the brake pedal all the way down and hold it until coming to a complete stop, but rather to use a technique of intermittent braking, where the foot applies several short presses on the pedal.
Maneuvering Correctly on Ice
Just like with hard braking, making sudden turns of the steering wheel on an icy road will lead to loss of vehicle control and accidents. This is because the tire loses contact with the road surface. A driver might panic and make a mistake, which can be catastrophic if there’s heavy traffic around.
If you’ve just switched from a rear-wheel-drive vehicle to a front-wheel-drive one, or vice versa, it’s advisable to familiarize yourself with the differences in handling these two types of vehicles in a deserted area before driving for errands. The type of drive affects how the car behaves during braking and sharp maneuvers. Without skills in handling a different drive type, you might find yourself in an emergency situation.