With the snow and icy weather imminent, people must use caution on the roadways. Accidents in snow or ice becomes more likely because vehicles behave differently in harsher weather. More modern cars have great features for snow driving, such as ABS (anti-lock braking system) that will, in one way or another, allow your tires to remain spinning if you lock the tires when applying your brake. Your vehicle could also have VSC (vehicle slip control), which takes away power being sent to the wheels to regain traction if the tire begins slipping. Older cars that don’t have these safety features built-in will leave the vehicle’s traction and slip control up to the driver. Here are some things to remember when driving in these conditions to keep you and other drivers safe. 

Try not to make sudden pedal or steering adjustments, and keep your movements gradual. These precautions are a good first step to being very careful and smooth with the application of the pedals and will reduce the chances of losing grip. If you lock up your tires in ice or snow, it will be almost impossible to steer because the tires slide instead of roll. You may find in some cases that you might need to use the throttle in order to steer when your tires are sliding. The best way to stop sliding is to not slide in the first place by keeping a low momentum and being mindful. Investing in winter tires for your vehicle is always a good idea; winter tires add more grip in the snow or ice. While winter tires can get expensive, safety is worth the cost.

More importantly, safe driving is crucial in these weather conditions. Keep a safe following distance, make subtle adjustments, and keep your eyes on the road. These precautions give you optimal time and space to correct yourself if you or another driver loses control. Defensive driving is also a great idea. It allows you and other drivers to avoid making any fast adjustments. We all want to do our best to keep the roads safe and usable for everyone this year.