Winters in Colorado are pretty unpredictable, but you can almost always count on one thing: ice. Whether it’s a snow that melted before the sun went down and the temperature dropped or a byproduct of packed snow melting and freezing repeatedly, or any number of reasons, at least once a winter you can almost be guaranteed to run into icy roads. Granted, icy roads are the major contributor to our auto body shop, but we do want you to always be safe out there. So how do you stay safe on icy roads and still get where you need to go? Here are some tips.
Safety First
It might seem silly, but it is worth repeating. The best way to stay safe on icy roads is to stay off of them. If you can avoid travel, just stay put until the threat has passed. If that’s not an option, take caution. Drive carefully, and reducing your typical speed is not a bad idea, especially as you’re approaching stop lights or turns. It’s tricky business, driving on icy roads, and no matter what vehicle you’re driving, you’re susceptible to potential loss of control and crashes. So above all, take it slow, take it easy, and be prepared for the unexpected.
Heading Uphill
Heading uphill on snowy and icy roads is all about momentum. You’ll want to build some momentum before you start ascending and avoid having to hit the gas as you go uphill to keep your wheels from spinning. Then, once you reach the top of the hill, slow down as safely as you can as you descend the other side, using your breaks carefully to avoid skidding out of control due to loss of traction.
What to Do When You Skid
Sometimes, the skid is unavoidable. If you start to skid on an icy road, your first instinct may be to slam or pump the breaks. Ignore that instinct. Slamming or pumping your breaks as you skid out of control will only make things worse and send your car spinning, making it extremely dangerous to you and other drivers. Instead, steer your vehicle in the direction you want it to go. This should help the vehicle correct course without getting too far out of hand.
There’s really no getting around the fact that driving on icy roads is dangerous business. Make sure your car is stocked up with blankets, water, food, flashlights, and chargers in the event that you get stuck and are unable to get immediate help. Ice, especially black ice, is hard to see coming, so when the weather turns wintery, it’s best to keep caution in mind if you have to be out on the roads. And again, whenever possible, rearrange plans to avoid travel on icy days. If you can’t avoid a crash on the icy roads, know that your expert team at Accurate Auto Body will be here to help you get back on the road safely and quickly.
