Ice is a concern on the road this time of year. It is important for drivers to understand how to drive on icy roads to avoid crashes and how to correct vehicles if sliding occurs.
Slow Down While Driving On Ice
The best way to avoid sliding on icy roads is to slow down. Many crashes occur due to drivers traveling too fast for conditions. If your vehicle starts to slide or fishtail, it is likely that you are driving too fast for road conditions.
Understeer Vs. Oversteer
Understeering and oversteering are terms that describe situations when vehicle wheels do not respond properly to the driver. Understeering is when the vehicle wheels steer less than requested, this occurs when the front wheels slide and do not turn accordingly. Oversteering is when the vehicle wheels steer more than requested, this occurs when the rear wheels slide too much. It is important to understand both, so you know what is happening to your vehicle when sliding occurs.
Accelerating And Braking
Accelerating or braking can cause the driver to overcorrect and cause a more severe accident. Additionally, overcorrecting can cause the vehicle to swing back in the opposite direction and slide more. If your vehicle starts to slide on ice, let off the gas pedal to slow down. Instincts may tell you to hit the brakes but resist the urge. Hitting the brakes can cause sliding to worsen. It is also important not to accelerate if your vehicle starts sliding on ice. Continuing to accelerate will cause your vehicle’s wheels to spin and lose traction further.
Turn Into The Slide
The best way to correct serious sliding is to relax and turn into the slide. Turning into the slide means if the rear of your vehicle is sliding to the right, you turn the wheel to the right at equal capacity as the slide. If the rear of your vehicle is sliding to the left, you turn the wheel to the left at equal capacity as the slide. When serious sliding occurs, turn the wheel to match the severity. It may take several corrections to get the vehicle back straight on the road but turning into the slide is the best way to correct sliding. Turning away from the slide will cause your vehicle to slide more and is less likely to gain traction.
Sliding on ice is scary and can cause serious accidents. The best way to get comfortable is to practice driving on the ice, safely. If you are in a crash and suffer injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you may need to hire an attorney.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Source(s): IcyRoadSafety.com “Icy Roads: How to Correct a Slide” and Photo
