By Taylor Swyers
You do your best to avoid the road when conditions are bad, but sometimes you find yourself caught on icy roads.
Driving in icy conditions can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be daunting. Think about it, your car only really serves the purpose of accelerating, braking, and turning. When driving on ice, it is crucial to keep these three elements separate. You should never accelerate or brake while making a turn on the ice. This can cause your car to spin out of control.
Here are a few tips on controlling your car and keeping calm on the roads during icy conditions.
Slowing down
It seems self-explanatory, but do not drive at high speeds in icy conditions. If you are using your brakes, keep your steering wheel facing straight ahead and do not make any unnecessary movements. Brake slow if you can; abrupt movements might throw your car for a spin.
Turning
When approaching a turn on an icy road, take it slow and let your feet off the pedals. Approach the turn at a very slow pace.
Speeding up
Just like slowing down, keep your steering wheel facing straight ahead. Accelerate slowly. Wait until you are not turning to begin accelerating.
Sliding
What should you do if your car loses traction and begins to slide? Try to steer in the direction you want to go. The most important thing is to stay off your brakes until your tires gain traction again. It can be scary, and you might want to brake, but let the car handle the sliding and try and steer yourself back in the right direction.
Equipment
Make sure you know what your car can do and what is inside it. Some cars have four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive; these features can be helpful in severe weather conditions.
Before driving, you should always have an ice scraper or some tool to get snow or ice off your windshield and windows. If roads are terrible, pack a blanket or something to keep you warm if you have to pull over or if your car turns off. Finally, always have an emergency kit for getting stranded.
Insurance
No matter how skilled a driver you are, sometimes it doesn’t go your way in bad weather. Make sure your auto insurance has you completely covered!
