With the hot sun beating down on Australia, such is not the same on the other side of the world. The US has just experienced a monster snow storm. There were a lot of news of vehicles being stuck in the snow and causing pile-ups.
So how do you drive safely in the snow?
It’s still a long way off from the winter season, but hey, it’s best to be ready for anything!
Here are a few tips to help you when the next snow storm hits.
Tip #1: Controlled Acceleration and Deceleration
Hitting the throttle hard will only cause skids and accidents. Start off by slowly pressing on the gas pedal until you get traction from your wheels before increasing your speed. Always remember to decelerate slowly too.
If you hit the brakes too hard, you will surely skid out of control. Always remember that slowing down in the snow takes longer than in normal roads.
Tip #2: Drive slower than normal
Everything is slower in the snow. Accelerating, braking and turning should be more controlled than on dry roads. Remember to take your time and give yourself enough space to maneuver.
Tip #3: Keep your distance
When following another car, always keep double the distance that you usually have on dry roads. Remember that slowing down takes longer and there is always a risk of skidding. So it would be best to keep as far away as possible from the vehicle in front of you.
Tip #4: Avoid stopping as much as possible
Try rolling to the stop light if you can to time the change in the traffic light. It takes more torque to get your car moving again on a slippery road than it is to accelerate while moving slowly. This way you save time accelerating and reduce the risk of skidding either from braking or from accelerating too much from a standstill.
Tip #5: Take care when going uphill
The best way to go up a hill is to accelerate before hitting the bottom of the hill and using the momentum to carry you up to the crest. If you use too much gas during the climb, you’ll just get the wheels spinning. Most important of all is that do not stop in the middle of the climb because it will be hard to regain the momentum lost in braking uphill.
When you get on top of the hill, make your way down slowly.
Tip #6: Don’t go out if it’s not important
If you can, stay indoors. It is best to be in the comfort of your home, unless absolutely necessary. Even if you know how to drive on snow, others won’t be as skilled.
While it is still sunny down under, it would be best to get to know how to drive in snowy conditions before the winter season comes. And these tips also apply to very wet driving conditions and sandy roads. Be safe out there!
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