What is the maximum driving speed on icy and snowy roads?
2 Answers
In urban areas, the speed should be controlled at around 10 kilometers per hour, while on suburban ordinary roads, it should not exceed 15 kilometers per hour, depending on the road and traffic conditions. Here are some relevant introductions: 1. Avoid sudden steering on icy and snowy roads: When turning is needed, first reduce speed, appropriately increase the turning radius, and steer the wheel slowly. Hold the steering wheel with both hands and operate smoothly and gently, otherwise, skidding may occur. This is because excessive steering and lateral offset of the steering wheels cause a sudden increase in the resistance of the front wheels, resulting in the phenomenon of the rear of the vehicle swinging outward due to inertia. 2. When driving on icy and snowy roads, try to minimize the use of foot braking: Since driving on icy and snowy roads does not allow coasting in neutral or with the engine off, when decelerating or stopping, first use the engine's "drag" braking to slow down, rapidly reducing the engine speed and forcing the driving wheels to slow down. This should be done regardless of whether the vehicle is equipped with an ABS anti-lock braking system or not.
There is usually no fixed legal speed limit for driving on snow and ice-covered roads, but I would recommend keeping it below 30 kilometers per hour, as braking distances increase significantly on slippery surfaces. A typical 60 km/h stop that requires 40 meters on dry roads may extend to 120 meters on ice. As a long-time driver, I've found that high speeds make even minor mistakes prone to skidding or loss of control, especially on bridges or slopes where black ice forms more easily. That's why I always check local weather alerts and road condition reports. Driving slower also means better fuel efficiency and reduced vehicle wear. The key is maintaining steady speed using lower gears, avoiding sudden acceleration or braking, and staying alert to vehicles and pedestrians ahead for safety.
