Driving on Ice, Know How to Stop Slides

Driving on ice can be tricky. It requires special skills and care to stay safe during this most treacherous of all the driving seasons. The time to think about how your going to handle the bad driving conditions this winter is now, before the ice storms come.

Preventing a Slide:
With the right driving attitude most slides can be avoided. Don't forget these important techniques to stay out of trouble.

1. This isn't the time to be in a hurry, take your time. Leave home 20 minuets early, giving yourself the time to go slow and easy. Don't let other drivers around you intimidate you into driving faster then your completely comfortable doing. Going slow and easy will help you to relax.

2. Double or triple the space between you and the car in front of you. Stopping distance will be increased tremendously, give yourself plenty of space to react when other drivers get into trouble. You don't want to run into the other guy when he goes sideways in front of you.

3. Avoid the white knuckle syndrome. Your tendency will be to tense up, try to relax and maintain a light touch on the steering. A tight grip will prevent you from reacting in time to a slight change in traction. To maintain control you need to feel what the car is doing. You will loose that fine touch if your gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles.

4. Read the road conditions. Pay attention to where your going, know the capabilities of your vehicle. If you have a 4x4, sure you can probably navigate through 4" of snow. But if your car is a rear wheel drive heavy 4 door sedan, you better think twice before you try to go through the back ally when it's plugged up with a foot of snow. If your normal route to work includes a steep hill, you know it'll be a problem, pick a different route.