by Melvin Palmer

Created on: November 19, 2009

Icy roads bring a huge challenge to the way you react to your car's behavior. Changing your reaction may be facilitated with a little information. In order to increase your safety a few simple rules need to be brought to your consciousness.

The primary rule is go-slow. There is no more important rule than this. There is nothing scarier than someone who has all wheel drive and thinks that is license to go faster than everybody else. Going slow helps you stop sooner. Since stopping isn't easy on icy roads it is imperative that you decrease speed. If other drivers are faster than you, drive on the right lane.

The secondary rule is don't slam on the breaks. Hitting the breaks will cause you to spin the car. If you are going to hit something it is better that the front of your car meet the object. Impact on the side of a car is more likely to cause injury to the occupants. Allow the car to slow by not accelerating. If you need to slow your vehicle tap the breaks. This rule is counter-intuitive. We have the false impression that if we slam on the breaks we will stop. Not on ice.

Thirdly if you go into a spin turn the wheel in the same direction that the rear of your car is headed. If the trunk is headed left, turn the wheel left. This action counteracts the rotation and is likely to straighten out you car. The front wheels act as rudders, keeping the front of your car where it belongs, in front of the trunk.

A fourth rule is chains are for traction and don't significantly help you stop the car. Chains help you go forward on icy roads. They have a minimal impact on stopping. Just because you have chains on your car doesn't mean you can stop faster.

I have practiced on icy parking lots and would like to recommend you do the same. The lots need to be free of posts and cars. Start from a stopped position and hit the accelerator firmly, but not all the way to the floor. In 3-5 seconds you will feel the car start to rotate. Take your foot off the accelerator as your turn the wheel in the same direction the rear of your car is headed. A spin can also be initiated by breaking. Never exceed 20 mph.

These four rules have helped me enjoy a nearly accident free record when driving on icy roads. I have had one minor fender bender. Practice these rules and you will increase your probability of having a safe ride.

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