Winter Road Trip – Be Prepared
Snow is in the forecast in Northern California. Winter storms are expected to hit the Sierras in the coming weeks, and that means many flatlanders will make the trek up Highway 50 to do some sledding, to build snowmen, or just to enjoy a change of scenery. Because many drivers in our area are not used to driving in the snow, it is always a good idea to be prepared. Below are a few things to remember when driving to Tahoe in the snow.
Keep a Smooth Ride
Driving safely in the snow requires smooth steering, braking, and accelerating. The reason being is that jerky or abrupt movements can result in tires losing their tenuous traction on slippery roads. Each press on the brakes, turn of the steering wheel, and throttle movement should be gradual and gentle. A good exercise is to imagine a hot cup of coffee in your lap that you are trying not to spill.
Anticipate Way Ahead
When the roads are slippery, you should look and think as far ahead as possible. This allows for anticipation of your next moves. Slow your speed way down during turning maneuvers, and allow for triple the usual stopping distance when conditions are snowy. Extra concentration is required in winter weather.
Skids – Look Where You Want to Go
If your vehicle begins to skid, remember to look in the direction of where you want to go, and not in the direction the skidding vehicle is currently heading. Professional drivers who are trained to recover from skids are aware that the vehicle nearly always ends up where the driver was looking.
Skids – Don’t Panic
If you drive enough in snowy or icy conditions, you will likely encounter a slippery spot and feel that unnerving sensation as your vehicle begins a slide off course from the direction you were intending to go. Remember that skids, even drastic ones, are manageable, and you should be able to bring the vehicle back within your control. Do not panic and do not slam on the brakes.
In a front-wheel skid, gently ease off of the gas. The front tires should regain traction and once they do, aim your vehicle back in the direction you want to go. For rear-wheel skids, steer in the same direction of the slide and ease off the gas. Resist braking and wait to feel the rear wheels regain traction before steering back to your intended direction. If an impact is unavoidable, engage your anti-lock braking system (ABS) as described in the next section.
Engaging Your Anti-Lock Brakes
ABS systems have been required as standard equipment in new vehicles since 2004. These systems have an onboard computer that optimizes the vehicle’s brakes in extreme conditions. If you find yourself in a non-recoverable skid heading toward an obstacle, push hard on the brake pedal and do not let up. This will trigger the computer to keep each wheel braking aggressively, given the traction available.
Regularly Assess Vehicle Traction
During any winter road trip, your available traction will change along with the weather and road conditions encountered along the route. Keep an eye on your warning lights from stability control and traction control systems. If you have clear roads ahead of you and behind you, gently apply your brakes for a second – if you feel a vibration of the brake pedal without much deceleration, that means the ABS system has activated, which means the road you are on is very slick. If you can decelerate reasonably without ABS activation, the road has more traction.
Watch the YouTube video uploaded by an engineer explaining concepts of safe driving in winter conditions.
Limitations of All-Wheel Drive
All-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive vehicles may give you a false sense of security. You will see many such vehicles on Highway 50 as you are driving to Tahoe. While they are superior in terms of acceleration on slippery surfaces, they do not improve a vehicle’s ability to stop or turn in slick conditions. You can assess the traction in an all-wheel-drive vehicle by testing the ABS as described in the section above.
El Dorado Hills Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thanks for reading our tips for driving in the snow. I’m Ed A Smith, a personal injury attorney in El Dorado Hills, California. Accidents frequently happen on Highway 50. If you have been injured as a result of another driver’s negligence, the injury lawyers at our firm are available to dispense free and friendly advice. Call us at (503) 392-9400 or from outside the local area code at (800) 404-5400.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/driving-car-windshield-road-winter-916405/
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