After listening to Mikes pager going off repeatedly - accident after accident - I figured some could use this: How to Drive in Icy Conditions Driving in icy conditions is an extremely important skill, especially if you live in a colder climate that experiences harsh winters. Icy conditions can occur suddenly and without warning. It is important that one is always prepared for dangerous and icy driving conditions throughout the winter months. Bridges are especially dangerous in these circumstances because they ice first due to the absence of warm ground below them. No matter how dangerous a driving situation becomes, always stay calm. StepsTips and Warnings 1 Prepare yourself before hitting the road. The most important thing about driving in harsh icy and winter conditions is to always be prepared. This means having jumper cables and an emergency driving kit stocked in your vehicle throughout the winter months. Also be sure that your battery is in good working order and that all your vehicles fluids, especially antifreeze, are maintained. Blankets are also important, should you be stranded. 2 Leave time to start your car before driving. Make sure your car is warmed up well before you leave. This may mean giving yourself 15 or more extra minutes. Scrape any ice off all windows and lights, and wait until your defroster is working so that no windows (especially the windshield) frost over while you are driving. 3 Drive slowly. Traction and braking are hindered heavily when driving on ice or snow. The standard rule recommends that you leave three to four times more room for breaking than in amicable weather. 4 Brake slowly. If you brake too hard, you may skid and slide off the road or toward other vehicles. Make sure you do not lock your brakes by pumping them lightly. 5 Accelerate with ease. If you are too hard on the gas, your wheels will spin and you may lose control of your vehicle. Using low gears, especially on hills, will also be beneficial. 6 Remain calm if you skid. Should your front wheels skid, put your car into neutral and steer your wheels toward the direction you want to go. When your car begins to return toward your original direction, put the car back in drive and continue very carefully. 7 Steer evenly and softly. Allow your skidding to dictate the direction of your steering. When your rear wheels skid to the left, steer your front wheels to the left. If you overcompensate for the skid and begin sliding the other way, steer in that direction; it may take a few subtle movements to straighten your vehicle out. Tips Have winter tires on the car for the winter if you anticipate much snowy and icy conditions. Have ready and use snow chains only for more or less continuous coverage of the road with snow and ice (they wear out rapidly and will cause problems on dry pavement). Helpful? If you ever do get stuck, remain calm and do not rev your accelerator. This will only make things worse by digging you further into the ground. Use your accelerator very lightly while turning your wheels from side to side to clear any snow out of the way. If necessary, put kitty litter or gravel around your wheels for additional traction.
Posted on: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 02:40:29 +0000