One of the greatest hazards you’ll face when driving in the winter isn’t the snow on the road, but the lack of control when driving on that snow. Regardless of the condition of the roadway on which you are driving, there is always a best way to either traverse it or get around it. Usually, this means just slowing down and paying closer attention to your navigation. It can, however, be much more complicated than that.
Many of today’s drivers are led to believe that their cars, with their four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive systems and specially-constructed tires will allow them to drive through practically any winter obstacle without concern. While it is true that these safety systems do tend to give drivers an edge when it comes to controlling a vehicle that might otherwise be out of control, they do not make up for common sense. Traction control and all-wheel drive are practically useless when sliding across a sheet of ice at fifty miles per hour. It is for this reason that all drivers should be aware not only of what their vehicles are capable of in dry conditions, but also in wet and slick conditions. This preparedness may be just what you need in order to be able to keep your car or truck under control regardless of how much snow is on the ground.
A safe winter car that will remain under control at all times is a car that has good tires. There’s no way around that fact. If your car currently has low tread depth, you should purchase new tires immediately, before the first snowfall. Lack of tread on tires prevents the tires from biting into even the lightest snow, and can cause you to lose control of the vehicle at any speed, because the tires will act similarly to the way a spatula acts when you ice a cake. They effectively smooth out the snow and float on top of the packed snow. Tires with tread tend to tear up the snow. This is why you see the dark slushy ice balls that form at the rear of your wheel wells in the winter. Having them is a good sign. It means that your tires are doing their job.
Practice slow-speed winter driving maneuvers in safe, open areas. Abandoned parking lots are the perfect place to try out your car’s stopping distance at various speeds on snow, as well as its ability to turn effectively on snow. Start at extremely low speeds so that you can determine at exactly what speed the vehicle will begin to lose control. On thick snow and ice, you will find that most cars will lose control at between five and ten miles per hour. This will also give you the opportunity to get a feel for the anti-lock brakes and the traction control systems in the car. When these systems take control of the vehicle, there is a noticeable change in the dynamics of the car. If they catch you by surprise, and you aren’t ready for them, it could impair your ability to regain control of the car without panicking.
While in the same parking lot, and at approximately five miles per hour, drive in a straight line, and then turn the wheel 45 degrees and tap the brakes hard. You will feel the rear end of the car swing out from behind you. This common problem in driving can usually be corrected, but you have to be prepared for when it can happen. Any time you find that you have to hit the brakes on snow while the wheel is turned, the rear of the car can swing out. Set up again near the same place you ran the first test, and then accelerate slowly to five miles per hour. Do the same move again. This time, however, when the vehicle begins to swing out, turn the front tires in the direction in which you want the car to travel. This prevents the front tires from gaining traction and allows the rear tires to gain traction as they move sideways through the snow, slowing the rear of the car so that its tendency is to be pulled behind the front of the car, which is being allowed to travel at its normal speed. Gradually, the vehicle will turn straight again. All you have to do is keep the wheel turned in the direction that you want to go, and you will regain control of the vehicle.
Braking during emergency stops is very difficult, particularly on snow and ice. On some road conditions, even anti-lock brakes aren’t effective in avoiding an accident, and turning the wheels so that the car might travel sideways is a mistake. Most vehicles today have to pass a frontal-offset accident test, but not all cars are as adept at side-impact accidents. If an accident is unavoidable, avoid locking your elbows, and keep your hands at the nine and three positions on the steering wheel. This will allow the airbag to deploy without injuring your hands or arms. If your arm is in the way of the airbag when it deploys, the force may break your arm and throw it into your face. While the airbag itself may cause some relatively minor injuries, such as a black eye or a cut lip, your arm striking your face during an accident could easily break your nose or jaw.
The best safe driving techniques to follow to avoid car accidents in winter conditions is to avoid following other vehicles too closely, and make certain that you drive within your abilities for the given road conditions. This means slowing down and giving yourself plenty of room to maneuver, whether you find yourself on the highway or on surface streets.
Sources:
Car Talk.com: Winter Driving Tips: www.cartalk.com
California Department of Transportation: Caltrans Winter Driving Tips: www.dot.ca.gov