After a moderate start to the winter season, the temperature level has plunged greatly, bringing with it a risk of ice and even snow.

It is important to be ready for these conditions as slippery roadway surface areas can catch even the most experienced driver off guard and end up in an accident.

It is constantly best to avoid taking a trip in such conditions however in case you get caught out Intensive Driving School, has some handy hints on how to deal with driving in ice and snow.

Prepare Yourself and Your Vehicle

Leave more time for your journey and make sure your cars engine is heated up prior to you beginning your journey. Ensure you have de-iced the car completely and you can see plainly through all windows in your car prior to you set off.

 

Slow Down,  take it steady. 

No matter how experienced a motorist you are, no-one has the skill to drive at speed on an icy road– it’s simply not possible. High speeds can make your car challenging to manage and much more challenging to stop. Only drive in icy conditions if you really have to – it’s better to stay off the roads when the weather condition is treacherous.

Stay in a high gear

 

If you need to drive on an icy road surface area, it might be beneficial to drive in a higher gear, as this can help your tires to grip to the ice.

Give Plenty of Space 

 

Stopping distances can be as much as 10 times more than typical in snow and ice, so leave a big space between the vehicles in front and take everything at a snails pace. If traffic in front of you starts to slow, apply your breaks gently, as knocking them on can cause you to lose control and skid.

Stay Calm if you Loose Control

 

If your car skids, press down on the clutch and turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid. When you start to straighten up, steer along the roadway with minimal inputs to avoid skidding even more. Withstand the temptation to brake – it will cause your wheels to lock and you’ll skid even more.

We hope you find this helpful and informative, if you have any suggestions or stories on driving in tricky conditions, please get in touch with us.