Driving Tips for the Ice and Snow
Keeping your brakes in good repair is important during every season of the year, but is most critical during the winter months when ice and snow can create hazardous driving conditions. Good brakes and well-maintained tires will improve your vehicle’s performance in stopping, turning and accelerating.
Icy spots on the road occur most often in shaded spots, on overpasses and bridges and require motorists to compensate for longer stopping distances when driving on these slippery surfaces. When you drive on slippery roads, allow for the greatest margin of safety by focusing your attention as far ahead as possible. Never use your cruise control on wet or ice covered surfaces.
Skids can occur when a driver applies the brakes so hard one or more wheels lock up, or quit spinning. Skids can also occur if a driver is traveling too fast for current road conditions, encounters slippery roadways or travels too fast around a curve. If you begin to skid, the best approach is to remain calm and use effective skid-control methods.
If your front wheels lose traction and you begin to skid, you will not be able to steer your vehicle. Regardless of whether your vehicle is equipped with front, rear or all-wheel drive, the best way to regain control of both front and rear wheel skids is to:
– Focus on the direction you want to go, and steer the front end of your vehicle in that direction.
– Do not slam on the brakes. Hard braking will make it more difficult to regain control of the vehicle.
– When the front wheels begin to grip the roadway surface and traction returns, you will be able to steer the vehicle again. Gently turn the wheels in the direction you want to travel.
For winter weather driving, remember to reduce your driving speed while driving defensively. This policy is the best strategy to avoid the possibility of serious personal injury or death from an accident. However, if you or a loved one have been injured in car accident, motorcycle accident or truck accident, the experienced attorneys at the Law Offices of Henry Hanflik can help you now. Call 810-720-4000 or 888-905-4632 for a free consultation.