5 Expert-Recommended Tips To Follow When It’s Your First-Time Driving in Snow
Even if you love snow, driving in it can be a nightmare. For that matter, even great drivers sometimes feel intimidated by a few inches of snow. Even if you live in areas with limited or less snow, you may still find yourself plowing through slippery, icy and slushy stuff at one point or another. In such situations, professional drivers always have an upper edge over the rookies, given they’ve been in conditions like these before — hence they know the best practices to follow to overcome the hurdles. But if you’re a new driver, driving in snow for the first time can be a little daunting. Here are some tips by experts at S&B Keswick who have years of experience driving and testing cars in such tricky weather and road conditions — to help new drivers get through snowy roads and weather conditions smoothly and safely.
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1. Drive Slowly and Smoothly
The key to driving safely in the snow is going slowly and handling the steering wheel, acceleration and brakes as smoothly as possible. Remember, it’s not a race, and you’re not competing with anyone, so be gentle and gradual. Moreover, driving slowly makes it easier to stop the vehicle whenever you want without slipping on the road.
2. Maintain Distance From Other Cars
In normal circumstances, It’s important to follow at least a two-second distance from the vehicle ahead. This helps drivers be able to give the car approaching from behind enough time and space to stop immediately. But in winter, try to have at least 7 to 8 seconds of distance to have sufficient time to stop on slippery and icy road surfaces.
3. Steer Into the Skid
When you start to slide on ice or snow, steer into the skid. All you need to do is take your foot off the pedal/brake and turn the steering wheel towards the skid. As soon as your car attains the correct position, start moving it in the desired direction.
4. Stay Alert
Irrespective of the road condition, always stay attentive and mindful to avoid making silly and severe mistakes. Check your rear-view and side mirrors to be aware of the other drivers’ actions. Adjust your speed accordingly and avoid changing lanes to prevent slipping off the road. Driving gets complicated and dangerous during heavy downpours and foggy conditions, so being attentive gets even more significant to make informed decisions on the road.
5. Avoid Switching to Adaptive Cruise Control
Almost every modern vehicle comes equipped with an adaptive cruise control system that helps maintain a safe following distance on the road along with the speed limit. But swapping to this option can be dangerous in the snow because if the vehicle skids or hydroplanes, the adaptive cruise control will spin the wheel rapidly and accelerate it to maintain a constant speed.
For more such practical and helpful driving tips and tricks, get in touch with the expert technicians at S&B Keswick — a reliable one-stop car dealership with a comprehensive inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles. It also houses a wide service centre and parts department to holistically take care of your vehicles.