Washington roads can be dangerous in the winter. Ice makes for some tricky situations for vehicles and drivers. Know what preventative and reactive actions you can take before and while you’re on the ice.
Burien Chevrolet knows cars and how to drive them safely. We’ve put together a list of our top tips for driving on ice.
-
Reduce Speed
The best practices in avoiding bad situation are preventative ones. The best way to prevent sliding on ice? Drive slower.
Once your vehicle starts sliding on ice, the forces that were moving your car forward will be used against it. It sounds like simple advice, but driving slower ensures your car will have less force to flow through when it starts sliding.
Watch for any signs that warn of ice when you’re driving through wintry weather. If you think there might be even the slightest chance of black ice on the road, slow down. Always slow down to a safe speed when taking turns.
-
Don’t Panic
If you feel your vehicle hit a patch of ice, the best thing you can do it stay calm. Panicking is a sure-fire way to lose control over your vehicle.
Don’t slam on the brakes when you hit that ice. Even if your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, it’s likely your wheels will lock regardless. Once they do, there’s no stopping your vehicle. You’ll have to ride it out.
If your vehicle does start to slide, try to keep your car facing forward by turning your steering wheel to make your wheels face the direction you want to go. This will help keep your car from spinning completely out of control. Take your foot off the brakes and let the vehicle coast to a slower speed until you can safely handle it again.
-
Know Before You Go
Before you head outside and take a drive, analyze the situation.
Start by checking the weather reports. Your local news source is a good one to check for inclement weather. If you’re taking a longer trip, research your route to know what you’re dealing with.
If ice is going to form, it’ll happen during the night and early morning. Aim to drive during the warmest parts of the day, especially when it’ll be above the freezing point. However, never assume there won’t be any black ice along your path.
-
Make Safe Turns
When you see a turn coming up, slow down to a safe, manageable speed. The best way to do this is simply taking your foot off the gas pedal ahead of the time to avoid using the brake. As you make the turn, do your best to not accelerate or brake hard. Curves in the road are where the most fish-tails happen.
Again, if you start to drift while making the turn, stay calm. Turn your steering wheel the way you want to go, stay off the brakes, and don’t over-correct.
Be prepared, and be smart about your driving. If you don’t have to go, don’t. Ice is temporary, but accidents can change your life forever.
Image via CappiT | Licensed by CC BY 2.0
Connect with us
Recent Blog Entries
- “See the USA in Your Chevrolet” and Other Heritage Campaigns to Celebrate America 250
- GM leads the charge in vehicle-to-home EVs: inside the home energy ecosystem
- Corvette has strength in numbers at Le Mans
- Charge Into the Future — 36 Electric Vehicles In Stock at Burien Chevrolet!
- 1-of-1 2026 Corvette ZR1X raises $2.6 million for America’s heroes