by Marc Phillippe Babineau

Created on: January 21, 2011   Last Updated: January 31, 2013

Driving during the winter months can be challenging at the best of times, and a hair-raising, nail-biting exercise in futility during a major winter storm.  Driving on snow and ice requires a different skill set from driving in normal, summer weather with dry roads.  Drivers must have the basic winter driving skills and knowledge, for driving too close to other vehicles, or too fast for the road conditions will drastically increase the chances of  being involved in, or causing a major motor vehicle accident.

Any tips for driving on snow and ice would include, but in no way be limited to;

*    Have the proper tires.  First things first, when driving on snow and ice, if the vehicle has fairly worn out summer or all weather tires, then there will be limited traction, and therefore  limited control of the vehicle.  Snow tires with good treads will provide adequate traction for stopping within normal distances, and for driving on slippery surfaces.  However, driving too fast on snow or ice will negate any benefits that snow tires provide.  There are also ice tires available, like the X-Ice models, which provide more than adequate traction and control on snow covered roads, and very good traction and control on ice covered roads.

*    Drive slower.  When driving on snow and ice covered roads, the faster the vehicle is driven the less control the driver will have of the vehicle if it encounters a patch of ice, black ice or hard packed snow.  Snow drifts can form on roads where large  fields are nearby, causing drifting snow to form onto the roads, and if a vehicle hits one of these at a high rate of speed they will lose control.  During days that the thermometer drops below zero, drivers should automatically reduce their speeds by at least 20 percent, and more when there is snow on the roads.

*    Keep a greater distance between vehicles.  When driving on snow and ice covered roads it is very important to keep a much greater distance between vehicles than would be normal for summertime driving.  Keep at least four times the normally required distance between vehicles when driving in these conditions.

*    Know the vehicle’s limits.  Stopping in short distances is a dream to most vehicles when driven on snow and ice covered roads, but vehicles with four wheel drive and traction control, as well as fairly new snow or ice tires will

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