In this blog entry, the professional Chicago roadside assistance service and Chicago accident vehicle recovery service team will detail the main mistakes that people often make when driving on icy or snow covered roads.
Not Considering Vehicle Driving Abilities
Many people think that all wheel drive or four wheel drive vehicles can handle all winter road hazards. While these vehicles boast features that help them have better traction when accelerating on slippery roads, they still have issues with braking and cornering. Don’t be overconfident in your vehicle’s ability to traverse winter conditions, and drive carefully to avoid skidding, collisions, or falling in ditches.
NEVER Tailgate
It’s a good rule to never, ever tailgate other vehicles – especially in snowy or icy conditions. Snowy, slippery, or icy conditions dramatically increase stopping distances between vehicles, making it much more likely to experience rear endings that can lead to the need for emergency towing services. Try to maintain extra distances between you and other vehicles on the road to give you plenty of time to stop especially when driving in slippery conditions or on steep road grades.
Never Abruptly Brake or Turn
Don’t make sudden movements when driving on icy roads like slamming the brakes or making sharp turns, as this can cause your car to lose traction and potentially spin out. This is especially risky on winding roads where steep drops or banks of snow are on the side of the highway. If you somehow spin out of control and end up off-road, Towing Chicago can provide you with direct to location off-road recovery services on-call.
Forgetting Tire Issues
If you drive on snow-covered roads with worn-down or deflated tires, you are far more likely to experience an accident. Worn out tires don’t have the necessary grip to navigate icy conditions. We recommend investing in winter tires to help prevent your vehicle from getting stuck in snow, spinning on ice, or potentially sliding into ditches.
Ignoring the Weather
If you drive without checking the weather, you’re making a huge mistake. Always check the weather in advance of travel, especially on long trips, in dangerous terrain, or in areas prone to extreme weather. Being underprepared can lead you to get stranded in extreme cold or on dangerous roads.