CV...Driving in the Snow: Yes or No?

As I put an ice pack on my head from the impact of a driver’s door airbag, I think back on how I ended up stranded on the side of the road on Valentine’s Day. Was I really going that fast? Was I just not paying attention? Or did I actually not know how to drive in the snow?

I found myself turning a corner and starting to slide so I tried tapping the breaks which only made things worse. Because I was driving a newer vehicle, all four side airbags deployed when I slid into the curb.

If you’ve never had an accident in icy conditions, it’s a different kind of out of control. Winter for most of the country means bundling up, changing the tires and preparing for dangerous conditions. Winter in Coeur d’Alene, while it’s no midwest freeze, is still a force to be reckoned with.

Wrecks on snowy roads account for nearly 17% of all total car accidents with 1800 deaths per year caused by icy conditions. The FHWA estimates that 70% of roads in the United States are in snowy areas drastically increasing the probability for an accident. AAA states that driving on snowy roads can take your car 10 times longer to come to a complete stop.

Rather than letting these kinds of statistics discourage winter driving or cause anxiety, these facts and figures are beneficial for defensive driving strategies. Just like anything in life it is important to do the research and understand inherent risks involved. Especially when it’s behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. Driving on icy roads is difficult to navigate regardless of experience and is not recommended by any major safety administration or transportation department. However, if you find yourself in a situation with dangerous weather conditions, here are the top resources which can be found easily online.

The number one rule for driving in icy conditions is definitely to stay home if possible. Other top tips include winterizing vehicles, keeping a safe following distance of at least 5-6 seconds minimum and to accelerate and decelerate slowly. Take time to press gradually on the breaks or the gas when coming to a complete stop or accelerating at a green light. On hills it’s best to gain a little speed when approaching and to continue going without losing momentum at a slow and steady pace. Obviously the higher the speed the more difficult it will be to correct an out of control vehicle.

All of these tips may be common sense but what’s not necessarily intuitive is braking. Skidding is statistically inevitable with more time on icy roads. If the front wheels lose traction, it’s best to release the gas pedal and wait for a few seconds for them to regain traction, steering the vehicle out of harm’s way. If the rear wheels begin to slide out, Instead of hitting the brake again let go of the gas and steer in the direction the wheels are going.

Over steering and braking are the two most common causes of spinning out. Over steering can cause the vehicle to fishtail. In this situation the brakes are dangerous because they lock the wheels instead of allowing them to navigate to safety. Focusing on steering the vehicle into the slide may seem counterintuitive but it saves lives. The key is to turn the front wheels in the same direction as the rear wheels are sliding. Straighten the steering as the car straightens out. Turning the steering wheel proportional to the distance sliding is critical to this tactic. Be prepared for the vehicle to travel back and forth as you repeat these instructions, matching the direction of the tires to the direction of the steering wheel each oscillation.

There are a multitude of advanced techniques to utilize in hazardous weather conditions but the ultimate rule is to stay off the roads. It’s vital to create a culture of understanding when it comes to being safe on the roads. Take a moment to thank your local snow plow drivers and sanders and keep a distance when their lights are on. It is also an important effort to prioritize safety in the workplace so everyone can make their own decisions to weather the storm.