We know; the autumn and winter conditions that we are already experiencing can present us with a real challenge when we find ourselves on the road. Freezing temperatures, low visibility and slippery roads can increase the risk of losing control of the vehicle and having an accident. This is why it is important that when driving in snow or rain you do not do according to what things.
When driving in snow or rain, always be careful
Rain and snow is one of the most frequent meteorological phenomena, where in both its appearance makes circulation and driving difficult. In fact, and in the case of rain, it is important to remember that it is more dangerous at the beginning, when the road is not yet very wet.
This is due, among other factors, to the mixture of grease and dust that occurs with the first drops of rain, which make the asphalt a slippery surface with little adherence, which makes it very dangerous at all times. moment, regardless of how our car is.
So when winter rolls around, it’s critical that you take the right precautions for yourself and your vehicle. Taking a different approach to your driving style will also help you avoid sticky situations, but above all it will save you more of a pinch when driving in snow or rain.
What to know
First of all, it is important to emphasize that one of the keys behind the wheel, especially in bad weather, is smoothness . The finer we go, the more comfortable the occupants will be, and the less risk of suffering an accident.
And it is that the ice and the water (and the cold itself) make the car slip and leave the road. In addition, more meters are needed to stop the vehicle. In summer, at 120 km/h, completely stopping a vehicle, be it smaller or larger, requires 105 meters; while on wet they would be around 150 and with snow about 300 . For this reason it is vital to always check the state of our car and how it feels and behaves in any condition. In this day and age, especially wheels, brakes, wipers and lights. Here are some guidelines that you should follow (and not do) in these types of conditions.
Do not make sudden movements
Being prepared and knowing what to do if we are caught unexpectedly (or not) can help us stay safe at all times. Therefore, the first recommendation when driving in rain or snow is easy: no sudden movements.
This is neither accelerating (you will lose traction), nor braking (even with ABS you can lock the wheels), nor turning the steering wheel (you don’t want to spin or stay crossed on the road).
Avoid acceleration or braking
Under the rain or the water that is thawing you can still find areas with ice that can endanger the stability of the car. So you have to avoid sudden movements when braking, but also take curves or make turns smoothly, and always turn on the blinker in time so that they can see you well.
Thus, smoothness is one of the keys to any efficient driving, even more so on days when the road is wet. Avoiding braking, acceleration or improvised movements is essential to maintain control of the car at all times.
Do not apply the brake on the road markings
Another detail is not to activate the pedal on the road markings , something that those who drive a motorcycle or ride a bike will have observed more than once with the odd scare.
In fact, the crosswalks or the lane separation strip itself are very slippery if they are wet. To do this, it is best to avoid starting braking on the paint. In the event that our car does not have ABS, we must be even more careful.
Do not change the trajectory to avoid aquaplaning
Surely you have heard of him, but perhaps you had not faced him. We are talking about aquaplaning, which is an effect that occurs when the tires cannot adhere to the asphalt .
This is because they cannot evacuate the water that is on the road. This causes the car to slide on a thin layer of water between the tire and the road.
To avoid this dangerous situation we recommend:
- Reduce your speed without braking when you approach the puddle.
- Gently lift your foot off the accelerator and hold the steering wheel firmly.
- Do not change the trajectory.
- Do not brake until you feel that your car has regained contact with the ground.
Elude the grooves
In the case of snow, and just as we will do with rain, it is important that, when we approach a curve, we start to brake before starting to turn the wheel. If the car loses grip , try to stay calm; it is best to ease off the accelerator and keep the wheels in the direction you want to go.
Instead, and if the car starts to skid , try driving in snow as well as rain, gently. If the rear of the car skids to the left, for example, turn the steering wheel to the left. Under no circumstances take your hands off the wheel or put your foot on the brake.
Also, and if there is no salt on the road, avoid driving through the ruts left by the wheels; packed snow is icier than fresh snow.
