Safe Winter Driving - 7 Tips To Stay Safe

Winter is here and where I live, in Finland, we have just had our first snow with many drivers on slippery roads on plain summer tires.

Yesterday I was doing a 60 mile trip on smaller rural roads where the snow had not been melted away by heavy traffic and salt, summer tires still on, and I thought to myself:

It’s not really dangerous or difficult to drive on slippery roads as long as you know what to do and when, you just have to adopt a different style of driving and you’ll be as safe as on dry summer roads. The danger is if you apply a summer driving style to winter roads.

Rule #1: Slow Down

Don’t expect to reach the same speeds on a winter road as you do in the summer. Plan you trip to take longer and if you drive for long in dark, limited visibility conditions up north plan for more resting time.

Rule #2: Be Really Soft on The Pedals

To keep your car on the road you need grip. When the tires have grip they roll at the speed you’re travelling and the car will go where you point the front wheels.

When you break or accelerate too much the wheels will lock and lose all grip.

With no grip your car will slide straight forward and in the direction the road is slanted, down a ditch.

Accelerate and break like you had an egg under the pedal, really softly, and you’ll have a lot more grip to play with.

Rule #3: Keep Your Distance and Slow Down in Time

You see the break light in front, jump on the breaks and nothing happens. Sliding into the car in front is one of the most common winter accidents.

The only way to avoid these accidents is to keep a good distance of 100-600 feet to the car in front of you. Keep the distance big enough that you will be able to stop in case the car in front breaks.

Always slow down when you come to a crossing, even if you don’t see any other cars near. This way if there’s a surprise you will still be able to stop.

Rule #4: Break Safely

If you find yourself sliding for a ditch or for an obstacle while breaking your best bet is usually to release the breaks for a second or two to steer in a new direction, then continue breaking.

Sometimes the only way to avoid a accident is to not break at all and instead steer clear of the obstacle. This method do require some practise though as the instinct is to push the break pedal as hard as you can.

If you car has an automatic braking system (ABS) it will take care of releasing the breaks for you, letting you steer and break at the same time. But if it’s really slippery even your ABS might lose control and in that case do as above, stop breaking for a second or two and then when you’re in control try breaking again. Read more about your ABS system in your cars manual.

Rule #5: Accelerate Safely

You car can either steer or accelerate. If the road is dry there is enough grip for both acceleration and steering at the same time, but as the road gets icy you need to choose one.

Never accelerate when you drive through a bend, you need your grip to handle the turning. If you have to accelerate do it slowly and if you lose grip pull back a little on the accelerator until you regain control of your car.

When accelerating too aggressively a rear wheel drive car will lose grip at the read with the risk of spinning around while a front wheel drive car will lose grip in front and unable to turn it will go straight where it’s heading.

In case you’re car is equipped with a traction control system (TCS) it will help you maintain control during acceleration. You will find more information in your cars manual.

Rule #6: Use Good Snow Tires

If your snow season is longer than a month you would do well getting snow tires. They have a much more stable handling on winter roads and reduces the breaking distance significantly.

Check your local laws and regulations to see if snow tires are mandatory and if you are allowed to use tires with studs.

Rule #7: Practice and Learn

If you have a safe place to practice ice driving, do it! Nothing can prepare your for an emergency like trying to break and avoid an obstacle on a slippery surface.

You can find more tips for safe and fuel efficient driving at the fuel economy tips blog at MilesGallon.com