Driving on snow-covered roads can be done safely if drivers remember that winter road conditions require special precautions.
Driving during the winter months can be intimidating, especially if one grew up in an area that rarely received snow. Contrary to a popular opinion, it is possible to drive anywhere in the snow safely, so long as the roads are passable.
There is a general rule when it comes to driving in the snow. Everything slows down, and I don't mean only vehicle speeds. To drive successfully in any winter weather condition that results in slippery roads, such as snow or sleet, every driver needs to keep a few key safety tips in mind.
First, a vehicle cannot slow down and stop rapidly. Remember, everything slows down. On dry roads, automobiles depend upon their brakes to reduce their speed and fiction between the tires and the road to reduce their momentum and stop. On snow-covered roads there is significantly less fiction between the tires and the road, and therefore it takes longer for the vehicle to lose its momentum and come to a complete stop. So, if a driver rapidly applied his brakes on a snow-covered road, his vehicle is very likely to go into a slide. The severity of the vehicle's slide would depend upon the amount of forward momentum present when the vehicle's tires broke free from the little remaining friction between them and the road. There is a method for slowing a vehicle safely in the snow. This requires the driver to apply the brakes with a pumping fashion. By pumping the brakes, this action reduces the vehicle's momentum without giving the vehicle's tires ample time to break free of the friction between them and the road. Also, remember that since everything slows down, coming to a complete stop will take a greater distance than during dry road conditions.
Next, if a vehicle cannot stop rapidly, a vehicle cannot start rapidly. Any attempts to accelerate suddenly on snow will always result in the vehicle's tires spinning freely. Rapid acceleration while on a snow-covered highway, such as an attempt to pass, is equally bad and can result in the vehicle spinning out of control. Remember, since everything slows down, take it easy on the accelerator pedal and only increase the vehicle's speed slowly.
One other driving technique that needs to slow down is swerving, or sudden lane changes. Swerving on a snow-covered road is a one-way ticket to either an accident or the ditch. When driving on a snow-covered road, especially a highway, the only safe way to change lanes is nice and slow. It is very common for a mound of snow to build up between the traffic lanes before the plows have had time to totally clear the road. Any vehicle that swerves into one of these snow mounds has an increased chance of spinning out of control. This has to do with the angle between the tires and the snow mound plus the vehicle's forward momentum. Slowly changing lanes reduces this angle and therefore increases the odds of successfully making the lane change.
The last and most important rule has to do with driving on snow and ice-covered roads. Any changing of direction, such as changing lanes or turning corners, must be done without acceleration. This requires the driver to allow their vehicle's momentum to carry it through the direction change. In the case of changing lanes on the highway, simply let off the gas pedal and let the vehicle slowly coast to the other lane. A similar principle goes with turning corners in town. Ease off the gas and let the vehicle turn powered by its momentum. If turning a corner for a complete stop, use as little acceleration as possible. In some extremely snowy cases, rolling through a stop sign is necessary if there is a possibility of not getting the vehicle rolling again. This is not recommended, however, if attempted, this should be done with the utmost of caution. Using momentum to power a vehicle through a direction change on a snow-covered road is to minimize the chances of having the vehicle's tires break free of the friction between them and the road. By turning the vehicle's front wheels away from the direction parallel to the vehicle's forward momentum, the chances of the vehicle's tires breaking free and sending itself sliding out of control increase greatly.
In conclusion, remember that during winter road conditions EVERYTHING slows down. By taking it easy, staying calm, and remembering these safety tips, driving on snow-covered roads will become easier and safer for all.
