How to Drive Safely on Snowy and Icy Roads?
2 Answers
When driving on snowy and icy roads, pay attention to the following: 1. Maintain sufficient distance between vehicles, generally at least double the distance compared to non-snowy and icy roads; 2. Keep a steady speed, avoid sudden acceleration or deceleration; 3. Avoid overtaking unless absolutely confident; 4. Reduce speed to a minimum before entering a curve, steer slowly and gently, take wide turns, and avoid sharp turns; 5. Increase speed slightly before ascending a slope to gain momentum, maintain a steady speed on the slope without accelerating until reaching the top; 6. Reduce speed to the minimum before descending a slope, maintain a steady speed without braking, and never shift to neutral gear; 7. Use snow chains when snow accumulation exceeds 10 cm in depth, and install them on the drive wheels.
I have extensive experience driving on icy and snowy roads. The key to safety is driving slower, ideally reducing your speed by half to allow more reaction time. Remember to increase your following distance to at least twice the normal amount to avoid rear-end collisions. Handle the steering, acceleration, and braking gently—avoid sudden throttle inputs or sharp turns, as these can cause wheels to skid and lose control. Tires are crucial: switch to winter tires or use snow chains for better grip with deeper treads; if unavailable, at least ensure proper tire pressure. I also make it a habit to check the weather forecast before heading out to avoid driving during heavy snow or freezing rain. Keep emergency supplies in the car, like a snow shovel, flashlight, and warm clothing, in case you get stuck. At night, keep headlights bright and free of snow or fog. Most importantly, stay focused on the road—don’t panic if something unexpected happens; maintain steady control and pull over safely. Practice winter driving a few times to build confidence. Safe driving protects both you and others.
