Driving in the snow is very different from driving during the summer months. Things that are safe on dry pavement can become catastrophic on slick roads. Every year, there are many serious accidents because people make avoidable mistakes.
You can’t always avoid driving in poor weather. You may need to commute to school, work or elsewhere. When you do, it’s important to understand common mistakes so you can avoid them. Here are three examples:
Following too closely
Following distances need to be much longer due to the lack of traction. Instead of staying just three or four seconds behind the next car, it’s better to add an additional few seconds. This gives you time to process and react appropriately if something unexpected happens. If you’re too close to the vehicle ahead of you, you could slide into the back of it.
Braking aggressively
You need to use your brakes in snowy weather, but you shouldn’t slam on them or try to slow down too aggressively. Doing so causes your tires to slip and slide, which doesn’t actually slow your car down. You should either brake gradually or use a tactic like engine braking to slow the car without relying heavily on the brakes.
Making abrupt maneuvers
People often get into trouble when they try to do things abruptly, the way they might on a dry road. For instance, making a sudden turn could cause your car to spin. Similarly, quickly changing lanes to pass another vehicle might result in hitting the slush between lanes and losing control.
Understanding these mistakes is helpful, but you could still be injured if another driver causes a car accident. Make sure you know how to seek financial compensation.