The Winter Mobility Conundrum
Education is a progressive discovery of our ignorance.
- Will Durant
Safe Driving on Snow and Ice
Navigating icy and snowy roads requires special attention and techniques to ensure safety. Here are some tips for driving in winter conditions:
Smooth Cornering:
- When navigating curves, avoid sudden changes in acceleration. If your car starts to skid, refrain from making abrupt maneuvers. Apply firm and steady pressure on the brakes while gently correcting the steering wheel.
Upshifting Gears:
- In slippery conditions, it's beneficial to start off in second gear and then drive at low RPMs in a higher gear. This helps improve traction on icy roads, allowing the tires to grip better.
Driving with Automatic Transmission:
- Modern automatic cars usually have electronic traction control systems. In older automatic vehicles, shifting the gear lever to neutral can help disengage the wheels from the engine, facilitating a smoother braking process.
Avoid Jerky Steering Movements:
- If your car starts to slide on a straight road, disengage the clutch and apply the brakes. Quickly but gently steer in the opposite direction. If your vehicle doesn't respond, resort to a full emergency brake.
- Exercise caution when temperatures hover around freezing. Freezing rain can quickly turn roads into slippery surfaces. In such conditions, it's best to park your car and wait for the road maintenance services to treat the roads.
It's essential to practice the right techniques for driving on snow and ice, and one effective way to do so is by participating in a winter driving training course.
These courses provide hands-on experience and guidance on handling vehicles in challenging winter conditions, helping drivers develop confidence and competence in winter driving scenarios.
Acknowledgment: ADAC Autoclub
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