Snow and Ice

Winter brings snow and ice. On top of that, days are shorter so you can probably add darkness to the list of potential risks posed by winter weather. One easy way around driving in winter, more particularly in snow and ice, is don’t. If you expect a snow storm or even a minor snow event, plan to not drive if you can avoid it. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. You need to get to school or work, especially if your job is considered essential.

Slick winter roads can differ from slick roads caused by rain. Instead of being wet, winter road surfaces can become snow or ice packed. Traction will be very shaky even at low speeds. If you have ever tried to walk across a smooth icy surface in shoes, you get the idea.

Consider these important facts to help you
negotiate the roadways in snow and ice:

• Before you leave for any trip, warm up your car and clean it off completely. You need a full field of view, especially when visibility will probably be poor. Don’t just clean off enough space for you to have peepholes. Clean all windows, mirrors, and your roof. Snow or ice that fall from your moving vehicle are dangerous. At high speeds, snow and ice chunks are projectiles that can cause severe damage and injury.
  
• As you begin to drive, start slowly and gradually. Quick starts are just as bad as hard stops.
• Tap your brakes when you are away from traffic. Get a sense for how slick the roads are.
• Keep your speed well below the speed limit, leaving a good 5 or 6 second following distance between you and any vehicles ahead.
• Avoid using the brakes if you can to decelerate. Easing up on the gas is actually a more effective and less dangerous way to slow down in snow and ice.
• Start turns early and make them very slow and very gradual.
• When you must use the brakes, allow more space for your stop. Tap or pump the brake pedal lightly and slow a bit. Repeat the process until you stop. A hard push on the brake pedal when you are on ice is a guarantee that you’ll go into a skid.
• Use snow tires or treads on your drive wheels in the winter. They provide better traction.
  
• Never get a false sense of security with snow treads or even four/all wheel drive vehicles. Continue to drive with extreme caution. On an icy surface, four wheel drive is nothing more than four wheel skid.
• When on a highway and driving in snow, be careful of “Highway Hypnosis.” Continue to scan the road and your surroundings as you learned earlier. If you focus too much on the falling snow, the combination of the snow coming at you and the painted lines on the road will disorient you. This is dangerous.
• Roads over bridges freeze early. This is because frigid air passes both under and over the surface of the road. Freezing takes much less time. Be extra alert when driving over bridges and overpasses in the winter.
• Use your headlights on low beams. Heavy snow reflects the light from high beams right back at you. And remember, also use those headlights so others can see you.
• Never assume that nobody is walking along the side of the road in a snow storm. People can decide to go for a walk or may be leaving a disabled vehicle to get help.
• Expect that painted lines will be snow covered. Use guardrails or other landmarks to guide you. Never assume that tire marks ahead of you are from a vehicle following a safe path. Look for spots where the depth of snow is a bit higher, such as on a curb line. Let that help to guide you.
• When conditions are dangerously poor, pull off the road completely and leave your lights on. Resume travel when conditions look more manageable