What should be paid attention to when driving on icy and snowy roads in Subject 1?
2 Answers
When driving on icy and snowy roads, it is important to make judgments in advance and reserve the braking distance. The reasons for reserving braking distance and the method of starting the car in extremely cold weather are as follows: Reasons for reserving braking distance: It should be noted that the braking distance of the vehicle will be extended. Icy and snowy roads are different from normal roads, which will reduce the friction of the vehicle tires and the adhesion will also become smaller. When driving on icy and snowy roads, it is necessary to make judgments in advance and reserve the braking distance. Method of starting the car in extremely cold weather: Depress the clutch in neutral gear, do not step on the accelerator, and start the engine instantly without igniting it. Each interval should be more than 10 seconds, and at least 3 times. The purpose is to start the lubrication system. After the engine is started, keep the clutch depressed in neutral gear and warm up the car at idle speed. After 1 minute, release the clutch. If the engine does not stay on, depress the clutch for a while longer. Until the engine stays on, release the clutch and continue to warm up the car at idle speed for 1-2 minutes.
When driving on icy or snowy roads, I always remind myself to stay steady. Reduce speed by at least 30%, as the road is slippery like an ice rink, and braking distance is much longer than usual—a slight mistake could lead to a rear-end collision. Snow chains or winter tires are essential, especially on mountain roads or slopes. Maintain a safe following distance of at least three to five seconds to allow for reaction time if the car ahead brakes suddenly. Take turns extra slowly and avoid sharp steering to prevent skidding or loss of control. I make it a habit to test the brakes in advance to check responsiveness and ensure the wipers and defroster are working for clear visibility. With rapidly changing light conditions in snowy weather, I turn on headlights to improve visibility. Remember, haste makes waste—driving slower is safer, so don’t rush and risk an accident.
