When temperatures drop and precipitation falls, the roads in the Tulsa area can turn to sheets of ice. It can feel like driving a luge down the street sometimes. It is also unfortunately true that drivers tend to struggle to adjust their habits appropriately to icy road conditions, which may ultimately result in car crashes.
There are numerous safety rules that can benefit those who don’t have the luxury of staying home just because the weather outside is bad. How can you safely handle icy roads on cold days?
Reduce your overall speed
Ice can be particularly hazardous once a vehicle has established significant momentum. If a vehicle loses traction at high speeds, it will travel a noteworthy distance before coming to a complete stop.
Reducing your speed by 10 miles an hour, sometimes more, may be necessary to stay safe. That also probably means that you’ll need to adjust your morning schedule so that you can get out the door to make it to work on time despite your slower speed.
Accelerate and break gradually
Slamming on your brakes is liable to lock them up, which can mean that you’ll lose control of your vehicle. If you need to slow down, you need to slow down gradually.
So long as your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, you don’t necessarily need to pump the brakes while slowing. You just need to apply them gradually. Accelerating should also be done very slowly, as rapid acceleration can lead to a loss of traction.
Know how to handle a slide
Sometimes, there is nothing you can do to prevent your vehicle from sliding. When you recognize that you have lost control, especially if your vehicle has begun to spin, you need to know what to do. Take your foot off of the gas and do not apply the brakes.
Turn the wheel into the spin instead of fighting against it. Doing so will allow the vehicle to use up its own momentum and will likely increase how quickly you’ll be able to regain control over the vehicle.
Although it is obviously preferable to drive as little as possible when the roads are unsafe, you can’t always avoid travel when the streets are icy. Employing proper safety practices and occasionally refreshing yourself on certain travel risks can reduce your chances of a motor vehicle collision.