Tips for driving on icy roads
The weather often plays tricks on us during the winter, with wide variations in temperature, snow and freezing rain. However, life goes on and no matter what the road conditions are, you still have to get to work.
First and foremost, prevention and caution are the most important factors when driving on icy roads. Although today's cars are equipped with a host of safety aids, they cannot replace our good judgment.
Be well prepared
Before we even leave our driveway, we must make sure that our car is well cleared of snow and ice in order to enjoy the best visibility possible. A first aid kit, a shovel and warmer clothes in the trunk are advisable, if ever we are victims of a road accident.
Slow down
Lower speeds obviously reduce braking distances, but also give us time to react if a loss of traction occurs, or if another car makes an unexpected manoeuvre. It's better to arrive a few minutes late at our destination than not to arrive at all.
Anticipate the reactions of other drivers
Being careful on the road also means anticipating that other motorists around us may make sudden maneuvers. Leaving plenty of room between us and other vehicles on the road gives us a better chance to slow down or change our course safely.
Avoiding distractions
Driving on slippery roads requires extra care. Obviously, this is not the time to talk on the phone or engage in conversations with other passengers on board. Above all, avoid texting and turn down the volume of the radio to better hear the sounds of the road that could indicate a possible loss of grip or a skid.
Stay calm
Our driving will be safer if we avoid panicking behind the wheel. If we feel our car losing traction, we should ease off the gas pedal and guide the car with smooth, controlled movements. Look in the direction you want to go, not the direction you want to avoid. If the car is slipping slightly, avoid hitting the brakes, which will destabilize our trajectory.
If you were driving too fast and the vehicle starts to skid more quickly, you can apply constant pressure to the brakes, while the anti-lock system and the electronic stability program will try to correct your path. Again, avoid sudden movements.
Puddles of water
During freezing rain storms, puddles may form on the road. If this happens, take your foot off the gas pedal, keep the steering wheel straight and don't apply the brakes. Again, slowing down in these conditions allows us to maintain better control of our car.
Black ice
The treacherous thing about black ice is that it doesn't shine like regular ice. It looks like a dry road, but in reality it is covered with a very thin layer of ice, enough to make your car lose traction. It is mostly found on elevated roads (bridges, overpasses), shaded roads or roads with little traffic. All the techniques mentioned above apply when driving on black ice.
The inevitable
If the inevitable happens and our car skids out of control, if possible, we should try to get out of the path of other motorists to avoid a collision. Whether you are stranded on the side of the road, caught in a snow bank or in the middle of a pile-up, the safest place to be is usually inside your car, as it is built with a safety cage to protect you in case of impact.
A vehicle ready for winter conditions
Of course, all-wheel drive can be a great help in winter driving, as these modern systems detect loss of traction in a fraction of a second and distribute engine power to the wheels with the best grip. The Car Guide recently listed the most affordable cars in Canada with all-wheel drive, and most trucks and SUVs offer all-wheel drive as an option or standard feature.
It's also important to choose the right winter tire for the weather conditions here at home. The Car Guide has also published several reports on the best winter tires of the season.
