Those who live in Green Bay understand what true cold weather means. With average low temperatures in January falling below 10 degrees, the weather is something that we must adapt to—and learn to live through. Low temperatures can be dangerous for drivers, especially when they cause hazardous road conditions.
One of the dangerous conditions that cold weather can cause for a driver is icy roads. When moving across an icy surface, a vehicle may easily lose control. Once a driver has lost control of his vehicle, it can be difficult to regain control, and that can ultimately lead to an accident.
To make driving on an icy surface a bit safer, a motorist can use these three tips:
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Steering. When driving on the ice, hold the steering wheel with a quarter-to-three grip. It is important to remember that it is easy to oversteer while driving on ice. It is natural to think that the more the wheel turns, the more the car will turn—as on asphalt. On ice, however, this is not the case and can cause the situation to become much worse.
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Braking. Many people believe that brakes should be pumped when breaking on ice. This is no longer true with vehicles that are equipped with anti-lock braking systems (ABS). The driver should apply maximum brake pressure and let the ABS go to work.
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Counter-steering. Maintaining or trying to regain control after losing traction on the ice can be very difficult. If the vehicle loses control the driver should turn the wheel in the direction opposite to the car’s sliding direction. This should be done cautiously, as too much counter-steering can have dangerous results.
Although you take the necessary steps to stay safe on icy roads, there’s no guarantee that other drivers will do the same. In fact, some will not take any precautions at all. If you have been injured in an auto accident while on the ice, you may be entitled to compensation. Call 800-800-5678 today to discuss your legal options.
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