Many people get into car accidents when they encounter ice simply because they’re unsure how to drive safely. Maybe they don’t drive on the ice very often and so it’s unexpected. Perhaps they are a young driver who has never encountered winter driving conditions at all before.
One of the biggest things to remember when driving on ice is simply to stay calm. Try to keep all of your maneuvers and adjustments as smooth as possible. For instance, it’s best to turn slowly and carefully, as sharply turning the wheel can cause you to spin and lose control.
Should you hit the brakes?
No, it is generally best not to hit the brakes. If you do, the wheels stop turning and begin to slide on the slick surface. This can actually make things much worse if you are driving on ice, slush or snow.
Instead, you just want to remove your foot from the gas pedal. You can then concentrate on smoothly guiding your car through the icy patch, and the car’s engine will slow it down gradually on its own. This way, you retain as much control over the vehicle as possible, while still reducing speed to keep yourself safe. If you can, try to avoid stopping in icy conditions. You have far more control when the car is in motion.
Have you been injured?
The ice does lead to car accidents, and other drivers may make mistakes and hit your vehicle, even if you know how to drive on the ice. If you’ve been injured, take the time to look into all of your legal options to seek compensation.
