Important Safety Tips for Driving on Icy Roads

There are more than 232.8 million drivers on US roads, but statistics presented by Forbes suggest there are around 5 million collisions every year. Of these accidents, more than 150,000 of them are caused by icy roads, according to the US Federal Highway Administration. When ice sweeps over roads, it reduces traction, increases stopping distances, and leads pedestrians and motorists to travel slower. For tips on driving safely on icy roads, continue reading below.

Be Prepared

Preparation is always essential before taking to the roads, but it’s much more important when icy conditions hit. To make driving feel less stressful and dangerous, take the following into consideration:

• Check you have a breakdown cover.
• Charge your phone fully before leaving and take a charger just in case.
• Leave extra time for journeys – you will be moving slower and there may be more traffic.
• Completely de-ice windows and mirrors and store emergency gear in your car.
• If possible, postpone long journeys until after the ice has cleared.

Smooth Motions

When driving on ice, it doesn’t take much for a skid to take hold, which can lead to a complete loss of control. To reduce the chances of this happening, it’s always best to accelerate, steer, and brake in smooth motions.

Leave Plenty of Space

Stopping distance is the amount of time it takes you to think and your vehicle to come to a full stop, but it varies depending on the type of vehicle and the road conditions. When the roads are wet, it’s recommended that distances between cars on roads are doubled, which accounts for reduced traction. If the roads are icy, the standard stopping distances are multiplied by 10, which allows for a calm braking period and the car to slip if needs be.

Avoid Stopping on Hills

It’s not always possible to avoid going up or down hills in icy conditions, but there are things you can do to make traversing them safer. For example, if you see a build-up of traffic on the hill, stop at the bottom and wait for it to clear. You may cause a traffic jam at the bottom of the hill, but you’re less likely to be responsible for a collision if you can make your way up the hill in one go.

Drive in High Gear

Compact ice can be tricky to navigate, and skidding can cause potentially fatal accidents. To keep a better grip on extremely icy roads, it’s always better to stay in high gear. As well as this, you should pay special attention to upcoming hazards, as everyone will be moving a lot slower than usual.

Avoid Overtaking

People drive at different speeds within the confines of the legal limit, which is why there are different lanes to facilitate overtaking. However, when the weather is icy, overtaking may be an unnecessary maneuver that could lead to loss of control.

To have a safer experience on icy roads, follow the safety tips above. However, you may be sharing the road with dangerous drivers.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, visit The Law Office of William J. Luse at 917 Broadway St, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.

Or call now for a free consultation on (843) 839-4795.