Brits are waking up to frosty conditions today, with icy windscreens posing a challenge for those needing to hit the road. However, the hazards don’t end there.
If you’re required to drive to work in these conditions, safety is paramount. Auto Trader UK has come to the rescue with their “top tips for winter driving to ensure you set off safely,” which includes advice on handling your car if it skids on ice.
Naturally, when faced with icy conditions, it might be preferable to leave your car at home and opt for public transport or remote working if possible. But if driving is unavoidable, it’s crucial to know how to handle your vehicle.
Auto Trader advises that when “driving in snow” or on icy roads, drivers should “leave a stopping distance that is at least 10 times greater than normal,” giving your vehicle ample opportunity to stop safely. They also recommend avoiding braking where possible, as regular tyres have less grip on icy surfaces.
Instead of using the brakes to slow down, they suggest changing gears. In the event that “your car starts skidding on icy roads,” Auto Trader strongly advises against taking your hands off the steering wheel.
Instead, they recommend steering your car in the direction of the skid to correct it. Icy Road Safety cautions motorists, stating that “the higher the speed, the more difficult it is to correct a slide,” highlighting the critical need for drivers to adjust their speeds according to the icy conditions. The specialists further insist that braking on ice can exacerbate a dangerous situation, explaining that “braking can not only trigger a slide, it will make a slide worse” because wheels must continue to turn “freely” to effectively correct a slide.
In line with Auto Trader’s guidance, they recommend the appropriate technique for regaining control during a skid: “If the back of your car slides to the right, turn the wheel to the right. “When the vehicle begins to “straighten out,” the driver should then “straighten the steering wheel” to match.
Moreover, Icy Road Safety emphasises the importance of refraining from panicking and cautions against overcorrecting, as doing so may result in the vehicle spinning out of control since “overcorrecting can send the car rotating faster than a steering can counter, and the car will spin out.”
