Driving your car or SUV in Icy Weather Conditions

The winter climate probably emphasizes on the lack of awareness of several motorists’ on how to drive in icy conditions, states the motoring organization RAC.

In winter 2003, RAC patrollers attended to a third more than the standard number of cars and SUV vehicles needing to be recovered following an accident, many of which could have been avoided if motorists had kept their speed down and enhance the distance between your car or SUV and the vehicle in front.

RAC guarders of the year Paul Oakley said “It can take more than ten times longer to stop in icy conditions. With numerous motorists traveling too fast for the road conditions, crashes or accidents were predictable.”

When freezing temperatures are forecast and ice or black ice is unavoidable, motorists should:

• Reduce the speed of your car or SUV, steer smoothly and avoid harsh turns, braking or acceleration.

• Keep a safe distance among your car or SUV and other vehicles.

• Look well ahead to anticipate problems.

• When pulling away, use 2nd gear if possible to avoid wheel spin.

• When braking, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allowing the speed to fall, and use the brake pedal gently.

• If in a skid, turn the steering into the skid, easing off the accelerator but not braking suddenly.

• When cornering, allow the speed to reduce well before bends and corners by easing off the accelerator. Try to avoid using the accelerator while taking a turn as it may cause wheel spin and result in a skid.

• When coming across black ice - which despite the fact is not visible can be noticed because the steering will feel light and/or the noise created by the tires on the road will cease - reduce speed by easing off the accelerator rather than braking.

RAC patrols are recommending motorists get their car battery test out. The two most familiar breakdowns RAC patrols attended to last winter were flat or non-serviceable batteries and punctured tires. RAC patrols are recommending motorists to get their car battery checked out. Problems in starting the engine could possibly result from an electrical error or it might be time to change the battery.

The condition of the tires should be checked for correct pressure and legal tread depth. The greater the depth, the more efficient the tire is in wet weather and icy conditions.

Motorists should also keep in mind to make sure the spare is of legal tread-depth and properly inflated. Failure to do so could result in being trapped and have to call for some professional help.

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