Weather conditions also significantly complicate the road situation, and in the current year, winter is already planning to present many surprises in the form of heavy snowfall, blizzards, and sharp fluctuations in air temperature.
Weather conditions also significantly complicate the road situation, and in the current year, winter is already planning to present many surprises in the form of heavy snowfall, blizzards, and sharp fluctuations in air temperature. Undoubtedly, in such a situation, traffic safety depends on the skill level of the person behind the wheel of the car. However, even a first-class driver cannot always get out of an emergency situation. Even the most sophisticated driving techniques may not help here. And no one will give guarantees that you will manage to avoid an accident, but a driver can predict the possible development of events on the road in advance.
As practice shows, drivers tend to lose some of their skills in driving vehicles in difficult climatic conditions by the winter season, many do not prepare themselves psychologically for such trips, and as a result, they make mistakes. Therefore, considering the above, the State Automobile Inspectorate advises, if possible, not to tempt fate and not to set off in such weather. As for those who have nevertheless risked arguing with the weather, we would like to give a couple of practical tips:
Under no circumstances should you drive with worn tire treads, and if possible, change summer tires to winter tires, because even at 7 degrees below zero, the rubber of summer tires begins to "harden", which means the car's grip on the road is lost!
Every driver must not forget for a second about one truth: the higher the speed, the greater the chances of getting into trouble. Exceeding the speed limit is especially dangerous during the cold period when there is ice on the roads.
Black ice on the road is a kind of natural disaster. It is black ice that provides the least grip for car wheels on the road surface, and the braking distance increases by almost 10 times compared to a dry surface at the same speed. It is also worth remembering that gritting the road with sand does not always help on smooth ice, as it is rolled away by car wheels or swept away by wind. Therefore, drivers must be on their guard not to be misled by the apparent non-slippery nature of such a road. Icy inclines are most often gritted. They should be overcome at a slightly increased speed, with momentum, in order to reach the top of the incline without changing gears, as this will sharply reduce speed, and the wheels may spin, which will inevitably lead to the car skidding, and sometimes to the need to go back down.
At the same time, reducing speed is not yet a sufficient precaution. Try to look as far ahead as possible, learn to anticipate everything that might force you to stop suddenly or change direction. Always remember the need to maintain a safe distance. The lion's share of all accidents happens for this very reason (by the way, in icy road conditions, the distance between cars should correspond to double the driving speed).
When driving on an icy road, the main thing is to avoid wheel spin or skidding, which can lead to driving into a ditch, or even overturning. Specialists recommend starting to move in such conditions in second or third gear. On turns, braking and acceleration are not permissible under any circumstances.
If you do get into a skid, you must immediately stop braking, and then smoothly but quickly turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid, and then brake again.
In icy conditions, experienced drivers advise braking "by engine", meaning, without pressing the clutch, gently press the brake pedal and make spring-like movements. When you feel the engine stalling, press the clutch, and let the engine run at low revs.
On icy roads, near public transport stops and traffic lights, frequent braking creates a slippery surface, so extra caution is required in these areas.
Dear Drivers!
Remember the specific driving conditions and exercise caution when driving in winter conditions.
Remember that pedestrians are on the road with you!
We hope these tips will help you in difficult situations. Be careful on the road!