Surviving Winter: Driving on Ice and Snow

By Joni Johnson

Even though we don’t experience much snow in winter, we still get days of snow and ice. It is wise to review the important dos and don’ts about driving in winter conditions. This is certainly true for anyone new to this area, but also a good reminder for those of you who have been around a while.

We’ve come up with some important tips for driving in winter conditions and then have found various you-tube videos that will explain more thoroughly how various conditions affect your braking capabilities, how a 4-wheel drive affects driving in difficult conditions and most importantly, how to deal with skids on icy and snowy roads.

The five most important tips in driving in the winter are:

1. Plan Ahead- know what the weather conditions might be- even if you are just going to Ashland or Jacksonville. What is the predicted temperature? Is snow or rain expected?
2. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Otherwise, the tires will spin, even if it is a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
3. Slow down. If the speed limit is 55 or 65 mph, you may only want to be going 30 and certainly no more than 45 mph.
4. Increase your following distance to double or even triple the distance you usually allow so that you can decelerate slowly and not have to brake abruptly, which will quite probably send you into a spin or into the vehicle in front of you.
5. Try to avoid coming to a complete stop on a hill, and if you have to, leave lots of room around you. However, it is better to continue moving slowly rather than coming to a complete stop if that is possible.

Here is a video that explains how various weather conditions affect the grip of your tires to the road and therefore how fast you can stop.  It is very interesting.

The next video explains how a 4-wheel drive can affect your driving in wet and snowy conditions.

Certainly, while going over the passes would be better in a 4 wheel drive, the most important thing would be using snow tires and /or chains.  In difficult conditions, one or the other is required in order to avoid a ticket or a fine.

And finally, one of the most important things to know when driving in bad weather is how to avoid sliding on slippery roads, and if you are caught in a skid, how to correct  one without damaging yourself, your ego or your car.

I hope these tips and videos have helped.  If you need any more suggestions, there are many YouTube videos out there just for you. Put in “driving in icy or snowy conditions” and take your pick.