How to drive on snowy and icy roads
The rule of thumb is that all controls on your vehicle, including brakes, steering, throttle, and gear shifting, should be operated slowly and smoothly.
Accelerate the vehicle smoothly at low revs and shift to a higher gear as quickly as possible.
Keep your speed low, be aware of potential hazards, and give yourself plenty of time to brake and steer. To reduce the chance of wheel spin, use second gear instead of first.
Maintain a greater stopping distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you, especially in conditions such as rain, ice, and snow; allow up to ten times the usual recommended spacing.
When starting or going up hills, leave enough space in front of the car so that you can maintain a constant speed without changing gears or accelerating.
When going downhill, use a low downhill gear and try to avoid braking unless absolutely necessary. Once once more, be sure to leave plenty of space between yourself and the car in front of you.
Slow down and use the engine brake to slow the car down, but if you need to use the brakes, apply them gently.
When approaching a curve, start to brake before you start to turn the steering wheel. If your car loses grip, try not to panic; the best action is to ease off the accelerator and keep the wheels pointing in the direction you want to travel.
If the car starts to skid, try not to panic. Go gently towards him. If the rear of the car slides to the left, for example, turn left. You absolutely shouldn’t take your hands off the wheel or slam your foot on the brakes.
When driving through heavy snow, be sure to turn on your headlights. Don’t rely solely on your daytime running lights. If visibility drops below 100 m, turn on the fog lights. But remember to turn them off when visibility improves.
If there is no sand on the roads, avoid driving in the tracks of wheels or other vehicles; compacted snow is icier than fresh snow.
