While most people are very excited about the holiday season, it does have its downsides. The weather during the winter months can be cold and slippery, which makes driving more hazardous.
Skidding out of control is every driver’s worst nightmare, and this is a real possibility during winter. Fortunately, there are some steps that road users can take to reduce this risk.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Reduce speeds
The higher the speed of a vehicle, the more chance they have of skidding out of control. Cards should certainly never exceed the speed limits, but it’s possible that speeds may need to be reduced further during extreme weather conditions.
A driver has a better chance of preventing skids or at least correcting them if they are traveling at a lower speed.
Increase stopping distances
Cars often skid out of control during the winter because they slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of them. This risk can be reduced greatly by increasing the stopping distances between vehicles.
Usually, the recommended stopping distance is 3 seconds, but during icy or snowy conditions, it’s worth considering extending this further.
Make gradual movements
Sudden braking, steering or accelerating can all cause a vehicle to skid out of control. Thus, all sudden actions should be avoided, particularly during cold weather. Corners should be navigated smoothly, braking should be gradual and overtaking should generally be avoided in extreme conditions.
You can only manage your own driving behaviors. If someone else has caused a crash that results in injuries for you, be sure to look into your legal options.
