Icy Road Safety Tips

The #1 icy road driving tip: Reduce your speed.
Slowing down is the most important thing to do when driving on ice and snow. High speeds make it both easy to lose control and difficult to stop. You should never be driving faster than 45mph in any vehicle when roads are icy – not even on highways! In many cases, much slower speeds are necessary. You can slide off of the road on certain types of more treacherous icing – like black ice – at 10mph or less! If you’re fishtailing or sliding at all, it means you are going too fast for the conditions. You don’t have the skill to drive at normal speeds on icy roads.

The #2 icy road driving tip: Don’t drive on icy roads.
The best way to avoid an accident on an icy road is to simply stay off the roads until the threat passes. Nothing can inconvenience you more than a wreck or getting stuck!

The #3 icy road driving tip: Wear your seat belt!
Even though wearing your seat belt should already be a no-brainer at all times, during the winter it’s even more critical. An alarming number of road ice fatalities occur with minor accidents where the vehicle occupants were not wearing seat belts.

The #4 icy road driving tip: Pay attention to the weather.
Make the weather forecast part of your daily routine during the winter. Awareness of conditions will help you be more prepared. Read more about warning signs to watch for.

The #5 icy road driving tip: Go easy on your brakes.
Brake application is a common trigger of slides that result in a loss of vehicle control. ABS (antilock brakes) do not work well on ice and snow, and often will lock up your wheels regardless.

The #6 icy road driving tip: Turn into a slide.
If you’re fishtailing or sliding, it usually means you are going too fast. Reduce your speed so you won’t need to worry about this! Most high-speed slides are difficult to correct successfully. Careful this can cause overcorrecting.

The #7 icy road driving tip: Icy road accidents happen in multiples.
Your own accident is sometimes not the greatest threat to you – additional out-of-control vehicles often are. Read about what to do if you are in an accident on an icy road.

The #8 icy road driving tip: Don’t stop for accidents or stranded vehicles along an icy roadway.
Being a Good Samaritan is a noble thing, but on an icy road, it can cause more problems than it solves. Parking on the side of an icy highway can cause passing drivers to brake and lose control, putting the lives of everyone involved in danger.

The #9 icy road driving tip: Avoid hills or other dangerous roads during icy conditions.
The laws of physics are unforgiving! If you attempt to tackle a steep enough incline, there is nothing you can do to stop gravity from taking its toll.

 

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