10 TIPS FOR DRIVING IN FREEZING WEATHER

THE name of the game when driving on roads affected by snow and ice is do everything slowly. Except react, of course.

1. Drive, steer, brake (if you have to), accelerate, decelerate slowly and smoothly. Any sudden movements are magnified and punished on slippery surfaces.

2. If your car starts to slide, steer in the direction of the slide. That sounds a bit counterintuitive but the message is: if the rear of your car is sliding to the right, turn the steering wheel to the right. Slowly, of course.

3. Drive in as high a gear as you can. That gives you more grip. But be sensible: don’t have the car chugging in fourth at 12kmh. That will only create other problems.

4. Most cars now have ABS (anti-lock braking systems) which means you should be able to brake gently and steer through a slide, or to avoid an obstacle. All of this is much easier if you’re taking it easy.

5. It is vital you leave as much as 10 times the normal distance between you and the car in front. It can take an awful long time to slow down and avoid rear-ending someone – or worse, skidding into an oncoming car in your efforts to avoid a crash.

6. By using your brake/hazard lights let the driver behind you know if you feel they are too close. If they persist in tailgating you, pull over, if and when safe, and let them go. Don’t let them fluster you.

7. If the road surface ahead looks ‘wet’ – even though it’s freezing – then be prepared for patches of ‘black ice’. If you hit a patch, steer straight ahead and do NOT hit the brakes whatever you do. Gently lower the gears to slow you down if needs be – nothing jerky.

8. Don’t floor the accelerator to get up a slope, hill or motorway ramp. That is only likely to get the wheels spinning and leave you stranded half way up. Pick a decent gear and keep a steady speed; you’ll get there. Use lower gears instead of heavy braking to keep you in control going downhill.

9. Only use foglights in really poor visibility. Use your dipped headlights to be seen.

10. All of the above presupposes you have good tyres, lights, brakes, battery etc on your car. If you have the slightest worry about any item, do not take a chance on driving.