Where I live, snow just covered the entire city but I still need to get to work. Are there ways I drive safely in extreme Winter weather, or should I just cross my fingers and hope I don't die?
Sincerely,
Snowed Out
Photo by Valery Bareta (Shutterstock).
Dear Snowed,
Winter driving sucks. I grew up in Minneapolis, then moved to Boston, and so I've been through some rough conditions on foot and in the car. Aside from the obvious things, like driving more slowly and paying attention, there are a few tips you can implement to make your commute a bit safer.
Preparation
Get Your Car in Top Shape
If you haven't been in for a tune-up already, now's the time to go. If your car is going to withstand slippery snow and ice, you want to give it the best chance possible. If anything isn't in perfect working order?your brakes, especially?you're at greater risk than you need to be. You should be keeping your car in optimal condition anyway. Winter is just a good excuse to make the effort.
Know Which Streets Get Plowed First
Your city will be plowing the streets so they're safe for driving, but they can't all be plowed at the same time. Streets with a higher volume of traffic, as well as highways, are often prioritized. If you check with your local Department of Transportation web site you can often find a plowing schedule during the Winter. If not, check local news to find out which routes are currently safest. If you can't find any information, picking popular streets is often your best bet for the previously mentioned reasons. If no streets are in great condition when you have to drive, consider calling your office and see if you can work from home until conditions are safe. You shouldn't be on the road if can't drive safely.
Photo by Steven Smith.
Driving
Brake Before Turning
According to the automotive experts at Edmunds, one major cause of slipping around on the road is taking turns too quickly. We have a tendency to brake as we turn, which works well enough on a dry road, but it might come a little too late during the Winter. Instead, brake before you turn so you ensure you're taking the turn at a slow enough speed. Additionally, it's a good practice to brake a little earlier than usual anyhow as you may skid whether you're turning or not. Giving yourself a little more time to recover and brake successfully can mean the difference between a safe stop and an accident.
Keep a Greater Following Distance
If you look at drivers on the road at any time of the year, you'll find very few people keeping the safe following distance we were instructed to keep in order to avoid slamming on the brakes and, in some cases, into the back of another driver's vehicle. During the Winter, that safe following distance should be extended because you'll need the extra time to brake. This may feel a little excessive at times, and impatient drivers might not enjoy the extra space you're creating, but it's definitely better to create enough room to come to a safe, complete stop than to wind up in a crash.
Photo by spader.
When Skidding, Avoid Target Fixation (and Your Instincts)
"You have to go against your natural tendencies," he says. "Turn into the skid. You also need to accelerate." That last piece of advice seems to freak people out the most, he admits. "People don't think about accelerating to control the car." However, many oversteer skids can be controlled and a disaster averted simply by releasing the brake and gently accelerating. This transfers the weight from the front to the rear wheels, which allows you to steer into the direction of the skid, gain control of the vehicle and continue safely on your way. If you drive a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, cautions Pearl, be careful not to over-accelerate or the tires may spin and you will oversteer and slide out of the turn. In an understeer skid (when your car refuses to turn and is sliding), once again it's important not to react instinctively by over-correcting the steering wheel, by braking or by doing both simultaneously. Understeering is usually caused by entering a corner too quickly and then turning. To turn the vehicle effectively, your wheels need grip. If you react to an understeer skid by turning more, you're only asking for more grip, which is unavailable. The same is true if you brake. Instead, Pearl advises, in an understeer skid, carefully adjust your steering wheel until you regain some grip at the front wheels. Once grip is restored, gently and precisely add steering.
These are complicated techniques that can require a bit of practice, so keeping them in mind is probably not going to help much in the few seconds you have to avoid an accident. If you can locate a Winter driving class in your area, you might want to take it. It'll be cheaper and more convenient than an accident.
Photo by Pics-xl (Shutterstock).
Keep Useful Items in Your Trunk
Photo by Iwona Grodzka (Shutterstock).
Sources: The Weather Channel, Edmunds, and many years of Winter driving.
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