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The most important thing to remember when driving on slick roads is that you must travel, steer and brake more slowly than usual. The distance needed to stop on ice is twice as long as that you would need to brake under normal driving circumstances. This means you should keep at least a three car distance from the vehicle directly in front of you.
Black ice often forms on roads that wind around lakes and rivers, in tunnels, on overpasses and in highly shaded, rural areas. Black ice is almost invisible to the naked eye. It's the ice that remains on roadways not exposed to warming sunlight. Be especially leery when driving your car into shaded areas, and slow your vehicle down during your approach.
You can improve your visibility by clearing all snow and ice from your vehicle. Be sure to remove ice and snow from hood, roof, trunk, turn signal lights, tail and headlights, windows, mirrors and fenders. Use your low beams when driving in an ice or snow storm. You'll have better visibility.
When driving up-hill on ice, pick a path that will allow the most traction. Monitor vehicles in front of you and steer clear of areas where they spin wheels or slide backward. Unpacked snow will give most vehicles sufficient uphill traction.
To maintain control on curves, reduce speed just before the turn. Any sudden acceleration or deceleration during a turn will send you into a skid.
Never brake while driving on ice. If you are approaching a patch of ice, brake during your approach. Applying pressure to your brakes while on ice will only throw you into a skid.
Travel gently. Everything you do on icy roads will affect how your vehicle handles the situation. Move slowly. Turn slowly. Brake slowly. Sudden changes can cause your car to spin out of control. Imagine that you have a dozen eggs sitting on the driver's seat of your car. Drive so that none of them break!
Having a well stocked emergency kit in your car can help to save your life and make you more comfortable during breakdowns, accidents and long waits. Your kit should include:
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One of the best things about living in the south is that our winters don't usually bring much ice or snow. But that's also a big danger—we're not prepared to deal with it!
