Winter driving is tricky and requires different skills than the other times of the year. Driving on snow and ice pose many risks that you do not have on dry pavement. Knowing the proper way to drive on winter roads can help you to avoid a serious accident due to slipping and sliding.
The first rule when driving in adverse weather or on slippery roads, according to The NewsWheel, is to slow down. This helps your tires to maintain traction better, allows you more time to stop and react to traffic around you. It will also help you if you end up on ice and start to slide.
When you begin to slide, you will feel your tires lose traction. When this happens, the back end of your vehicle may start to swing in one direction. Your first instinct may be to hit your brakes or turn your steering wheel quickly to correct what is happening. You should not do either of those things.
What you need to do is take your foot off the gas and brake. Gently turn your wheel in the direction that your car is sliding to see if you can get traction with your front wheels. You will feel when your tires regain traction.
Once you have traction again, you can try to accelerate again and move past the slippery area of the road. Going forward, lower your speed to avoid another slide. Also, try to stay off your brakes as much as possible and when you do need to use them, do so slowly and gently.
