Winter Tips 3: Do Not Let Snow and Ice Catch You by Surprise

ŠKODA World

Being an experienced driver does not make you immune to wintertime surprises on the road. An icy surface or layer of snow on the road requires a different style of driving than during the rest of the year. So don’t forget about a few basic winter rules.

19. 1. 2018

Instead of winter clothing, you could use some high-quality polarized sunglasses. Icy roads and snowy landscapes brightly reflect the sun’s rays, and that can hamper your view of what's happening on the road.

Any shiny surface reflecting a lot of light should be a clear sign for the driver to be extra attentive. To test the condition of the road surface, step gently on the brakes to check if the road is slippery. Bridges can be particularly treacherous, because their surfaces begin to freeze at higher temperatures than do other roads. You should pay closer attention also on stretches of road underneath bridges.

The universal advice on icy roads, of course, is never to drive too fast. If you go into a skid, don’t panic and, most importantly, lift your foot off the accelerator. Braking vigorously or sharply turning the steering wheel is not advised either.

Every vehicle’s braking distance is longer on slippery surfaces. Remember, driving in winter is something very much different than is driving in summer. That means you should start braking well in advance of making a turn. One can never be too careful in winter.

If the road is extremely icy or insufficiently maintained, then you will certainly want to have snow chains when driving in such conditions. You should learn at home how to attach them – before you need to use them – and then mounting the chains will take you just a few minutes when an urgent situation rises.

Every purchased set of snow chains will include instructions on how to attach them properly, and only chains that are correctly fit in place will do their job properly. Attach them to the drive axle, and in the case of an all-wheel-drive vehicle follow the manufacturer's recommendations and instructions.