Don't Act The Stig

Driving Tips For Icy Conditions

SAFETY CHECKS

Ensure your car is in a safe condition by checking your tyres for excessive wear, replacing windscreen wipers if necessary and filling your windshield washer system with an anti-icing fluid. Make sure the lights in the front and rear of your car are not broken, dirty or covered with snow. The best advice for driving in icy conditions is not to drive at all unless it is absolutely necessary. If you simply must drive, do not be afraid to turn back if conditions get too dangerous.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Before setting out, ensure all windows in your vehicle are clear of ice, both inside and out. Brush all snow from the car’s roof, as it could slip down over the windscreen. Remove snow or ice from your shoes to reduce the risk of them slipping off the pedals.

GETTING GOING

When moving off from a standstill, use second gear to minimise wheel spin. If your car starts to slip in place while you are trying to take off, ease off the accelerator.

ON THE ROAD

Drive slowly and don’t tailgate. Be mindful that it can take up to 10 times longer to stop in icy conditions than in the dry. Always allow extra room between your vehicle and the one in front, especially when driving behind heavy goods vehicles.

Use dipped headlights, and remember that cyclists and pedestrians, as well as other vehicles, will be less visible. Be aware of the risk of black ice, particularly in shaded areas. A very noticeable decrease in road noise is an indication that you are driving on black ice.

Use the highest gear possible when driving on the flat and engage a lower gear when travelling downhill, particularly when driving through bends. Look ahead and choose a suitable gear in advance before climbing a hill to avoid having to change down while on an incline.

BRAKING

Try to drive smoothly at a constant speed and avoid sudden braking or acceleration. Anticipate when you may need to stop and use engine braking – changing down through the gears – to slow the car gradually before applying the brake pedal gently.

When driving a car with an automatic gearbox, select the manual override function, which will enable you to select an appropriate gear to slow down rather than braking. Your car will generally not skid under braking if it has ABS. If you feel the brake pedal juddering under your foot as you brake, do not release it.

IF YOUR CAR STARTS TO SKID

If you do not have ABS and the car starts to skid, pump the pedal firmly rather than keep it depressed, as this could cause the wheels to lock. According to the Road Safety Authority, if you do find yourself skidding, you should depress the clutch and turn the steering wheel in the same direction as the skid while gently easing off the accelerator. Avoid over-correction with too much steering.

Braking or accelerating suddenly could put your car into a spin. If it does, remain calm and depress the brake pedal firmly, holding it there until the car comes to a halt.

Never try to overtake a car that is skidding or spinning on the road in front of you.