Ice Driving Tips

Posted on: December 16th, 2019 by Accurate Auto Body Shop No Comments

ice driving If you’ve ever lived a Colorado winter before, you know as well as we do that winter weather rarely means just snow around here. There is almost always an element of ice involved as well – whether it’s under the snow or replaces it entirely, icy driving is an inevitability in the Front Range this time of year. So how do you stay safe when the roads are anything but? Here are some things you need to know before you hit those ice-covered roads.

Don’t Do It

Our first tip is perhaps the most important. If at all possible, avoid driving on icy roads entirely. If you have the ability to work remotely, reschedule events or take a day off, we recommend that route. It’s the safest route. When staying off the roads until the city has had a chance to salt them or until the inclement weather has passed entirely is not an option, there are other things you should do to prepare.

Be Aware

Checking the weather and road conditions in your area should be a daily practice in the winter. It can help you understand whether or not your morning commute is going to be significantly more treacherous or not. Checking the weather the night before as well as the morning of can help you plan accordingly. Because you should never be in a rush when there is ice on the road, we recommend allowing yourself plenty of extra time if the weather looks wintry.

No One Is “Slide-Proof”

We hate to be the bearer of bad news to those who bought souped up SUVs with the hopes of being able to tackle anything Mother Nature threw at them without a care in the world, but SUVs, 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive don’t actually make it easier to drive on icy roads. Everyone is equally susceptible to sliding in these conditions because ice doesn’t just make traction difficult, it makes it impossible. Knowing that you’re not immune to the conditions of the road is an important step to being as safe on them as possible. Slow down. Way down. It’s not uncommon for speeds of under 45 mph to be necessary even on highways when the roads are particularly icy.

Avoid Brakes

Along with slowing way down, avoid using your brakes. Hitting the brakes often increases the likelihood of sliding or losing control under icy road conditions because brakes seek traction. When there is none to be found, you can easily find yourself spinning, sliding, or your ABS system attempting to correct (which it can’t.) Of course, coming to a stop on the road will be necessary at times, but doing so as slowly as possible, applying minimal pressure to your brakes to successfully stop is your best bet at staying safe under these road conditions.

Understand the Risks

Icy road conditions make pileups more likely. Sometimes, your crash or your driving is not what’s posing the highest risk to you – it’s other drivers that may approach your crash or your vehicle too quickly and end up out of control trying to fix it. Driving on icy roads is one of the riskiest things a driver can do in a city or highly trafficked area. Knowing what you’re up against is extremely important if you absolutely must travel under these conditions. If, despite your best efforts you still find yourself in an accident, the team at Accurate Auto Body can help get you back on the road with our expert auto body repair services.

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