You’re driving in sub-zero temperatures and the light is low, suddenly your tires lose traction and your car starts to slide.
Do you steer hard, pump the gas or slam on the break? Failing to make the right decision at this moment could not only cost you a hefty insurance fee but also your safety.
Fatal accidents are 33% more likely to happen at night, and 24% of weather-related accidents are caused by snowy roads.
But you don’t need to contribute to road traffic accident statistics. Read on for our top five driving on ice tips.
1. Check Your Car Before You Drive
Before driving at night you should check your tires are road legal, lights are clean and working, your screen-wash is topped up and your wipers are working. These small things could be the difference between spotting a patch of black ice before you hit it or not.
However, even with a clean windshield, if you can’t quite see what’s up ahead, always slow down!
2. Keep Your Distance From Other Vehicles
We all know that stopping distances increase during adverse weather conditions, but driving on ice at night is so unpredictable it makes the stopping distance the least of your worries. When you hit a patch of ice, you do not know which way your car may spin, so keep your distance from other vehicles.
3. Don’t Panic and Know How to Handle a Skid
Thinking about the moment you feel your tires lose traction is enough to make most drivers shiver. You need to think smart and fast, and the best way to do this is to remain calm.
You should not steer hard against a skid, as this will overcorrect it, and may send the car spinning in the other direction. Instead, you should ease gently into the direction of the skid while pumping the break. When you regain traction on the road, return to normal steering.
4. Carry a Breakdown Kit
If the worst happens, the best thing you can do is have a breakdown kit, including:
- Food and water essentials
- Blankets
- Torch
- Mobile phone
- Breakdown insurance details
- Money
This could make all the difference if you get stuck in adverse conditions. Just make sure the food you pack isn’t too nice, you don’t want to end up snacking on a long drive home.
5. If You Are in an Accident, Know What to Do Next
By driving carefully you reduce your chances of being in an accident, but sometimes it’s not always under your control.
If you’re involved in a motoring accident you should file an accident report for insurance purposes and gather any evidence from the scene that may help your case.
If you have damage to your car you should hire an auto accident attorney to communicate with insurance companies and help you win a case. Beyond auto damage, if you’ve sustained physical injuries you should also consult a personal injury attorney to help you through the process.
Follow Our Driving on Ice Tips for Safer Journeys
These driving on ice tips should help you stay safe on those cold and dark winter drives. No more dangerous skids or banged-up cars to worry about!
But, if you do fall victim to a motoring accident, make sure to contact us immediately for a free case consultation.