Safe driving in winter - how to do it ?

Oponeo 14-01-2015 Tyres/automotive
Safe driving in winter - how to do it ?

As evidenced by the statistics compiled by the largest German automobile club ADAC, the risk of an accident is six times higher in winter than in summer. Therefore, you should know the most important elements of driving techniques, to be able to cope with difficult situations. It is essential not to underestimate the weather conditions. Many drivers believe, that to severe winter conditions belong only snow and ice. In practice, each seemingly simple situation can be dangerous.

 

Beware of the black ice and slush

When the winter is not so severe and the temperature varies between plus and minus, be careful of the so-called black ice. It is nothing else, but a layer of ice, which covers the road surface. The road seems to be safe and dry, but while driving, it may turn out that it is not as easy as we previously thought. When we drive on the snow we are always very vigilant, but when the snow is gone, our vigilance is somewhat dormant. It is highly important, to stay focused and alert, during the whole trip, because such a difficult situation can occur at any time. Another danger that is waiting for us out there -  is a slush. When the temperature gradually rises, and the snow begins to melt, drivers start to feel relieved and get encouraged to drive faster. This is one of the biggest mistake, because especially during this time, it is important to remain cautious; key significance is in this situation, the behavior of the tires and how effectively they will drain the slush – says Filip Fischer, Head of Customer Service in Oponeo.pl. If we drive too fast, and the tires are not able to cope with that, it will come to slush planing- it is a common phenomenon in which a layer of slush gets under the surface of the tire and in consequence the car loses complete contact with the road. As is clear from the survey conducted by Nokian Tyres, up to 95% of drivers in Finland believes that the most important in winter road safety, is to drive safely through the slush. In order to do that, you must also have a good set of winter tires adapted to these kind of situations.

How to drive safely ?

Sooner or later, every driver realizes that the knowledge of certain techniques is crucial, and greatly facilitates driving and ensure the safety during winter. The absolute basis is a delicate handling of gas.
When starting (especially in the snow) never use too high gears, that will lead only to slipping of wheels and in consequence the car will not be able to start at all. Our advise is to try to start with the first gear. If that fails you may try without gas or skip directly to the second gear. If all of our efforts seem to be in vain, you can always try to rock the car so the snow underneath the tires is hardened.
Acceleration in the corners, is also unwelcome – take all turns with a constant speed to avoid skidding.
It is also important to overcome each corner a bit wider- like on the racetrack. A smaller steering angle minimizes the risk of loss of grip of the front axle. Proper gear shifting is the key. It must be carried out quickly enough, so the car does not reach a high RPM – it guarantees a better grip. The engine braking increases effectivity of  braking - this method works well on slippery surfaces. However, the brake pedal has to be used carefully. Each of the aggressive pressings might result in slipping. At the end there are two simple tips :

  1. Avoid an idling – a car is then beyond any control.
  2. Any deceleration, gear changes or correction of the track try to perform on a straight road -If it is done correctly, you will not have to 'fight' in the corners.

Prudence as a complement to technology

Besides technique, it is also extremely important to have responsible and wise approach to driving a car. Adapting speed to the road conditions, maintaining a safe distance (braking distance can sometimes be much longer than in summer), or simply not performing any sudden maneuvers on the road, are just a few elements that make up the whole. A proper predicting of the road events is the key to a safe driving. Many times you can thus prevent several road accidents, without the technology of a race car. The use of the most important driving rules  combined with a common sense will guarantee us a safe journey in all winter conditions.

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