Winter Driving: Laws For Icy Roads

Driving on icy roads can be extremely dangerous, and it's important to know the laws that apply in such conditions. Icy roads are one of the top causes of car accidents, with over 1,800 deaths and 136,000 injuries occurring each year. When roads are icy, vehicles can lose tire traction, making it difficult for drivers to maintain control of their cars and increasing the risk of accidents. In this article, we will discuss the laws and safety precautions that drivers should be aware of when driving on icy roads to help ensure their safety and compliance with legal requirements.

Safe driving practices on icy roads

Icy roads can be extremely hazardous and require careful attention from drivers. Here are some essential safe driving practices to follow when navigating icy roads:

Reduce Speed

Slowing down is crucial when driving on ice and snow. High speeds can cause a loss of control and make it difficult to stop. It is recommended to avoid driving faster than 45 mph in any vehicle when roads are icy, even on highways. In many cases, much slower speeds are necessary, especially on treacherous icing like black ice.

Avoid Cruise Control

It is important to avoid using cruise control when driving on icy or slippery roads. Cruise control can create a dangerous situation and increase the likelihood of losing control of your vehicle. It can also negatively impact a driver's ability to react, which is crucial on icy roads.

Keep a Safe Distance

Maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles is essential when driving on icy roads. Your vehicle's tires have reduced traction on icy surfaces, resulting in longer braking distances. Keeping a safe distance allows for the longer stopping time needed when applying the brakes.

Avoid Unnecessary Travel

The best way to avoid accidents on icy roads is to stay off them until conditions improve. If possible, avoid unnecessary travel and stay home when the weather is bad. This not only keeps you safe but also helps keep the roads clear for first responders and emergency services.

Drive Carefully and Consistently

When driving on icy roads, it is important to travel at a speed appropriate for the weather and traffic conditions. Avoid sudden lane changes or turns, as they can cause skidding and affect other drivers around you. Maintaining a consistent speed helps create a reasonable and predictable flow of traffic, which is crucial on wet or icy roads.

Be Alert and Avoid Distractions

Staying focused and alert while driving on icy roads is vital. Ice makes roads more slippery and challenging to navigate, increasing the risk of accidents. Avoid distractions such as texting, eating, or adjusting the radio. Keep your phone on silent mode and give your full attention to the road.

Prepare Your Vehicle

Before driving on icy roads, ensure your vehicle is in good condition and well-maintained. Check your tires for proper inflation and adequate tread. Inspect your windshield wipers, headlights, and brake lights. Keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle, and always carry a winter emergency kit with items like a charged phone, flashlight, ice scraper, blankets, and warm clothing.

Be Aware of Dangerous Conditions

Understand the specific times when roadways are most slippery, such as when it first starts to rain or snow. Be cautious of hidden ice patches, known as black ice, which can form when snow melts and refreezes. Pay attention to weather forecasts and be prepared for changing road conditions.

Use Brakes Appropriately

Braking can trigger slides and result in a loss of vehicle control on icy roads. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, apply even pressure to the brake pedal using the ball of your foot. Avoid pumping the brakes, and be gentle to help maintain traction and control.

Wear Your Seat Belt

Always wear your seat belt, especially during winter driving. A significant number of road ice fatalities occur in minor accidents where occupants were not wearing seat belts. Buckling up can help protect you in the event of a crash.

How to prepare your car for icy roads

Icy roads can be extremely hazardous, so it's important to take precautions when driving in icy conditions. Here are some tips to prepare your car for driving on icy roads:

• Tires: Ensure your tires are appropriate for the conditions. Winter tires can be a big help, providing better traction on icy surfaces. If you don't have winter tires, consider wrapping each tire in chains for added traction. Check your tires for excessive tread wear and ensure they are properly inflated.
• Vehicle type: If possible, opt for a vehicle with AWD (all-wheel drive) or 4WD (four-wheel drive) as these provide better traction on icy roads. SUVs are a good choice for driving on ice and snow.
• Fuel and oil: Make sure you have enough fuel in your car to avoid getting stranded. It's also a good idea to check your oil dipstick to ensure you have enough clean oil.
• Windshield and wipers: Keep your windshield clean and make sure your wipers are in good working condition. Remove any ice or snow from your windshield before driving.
• Lights: Check your headlights and brake lights to ensure they are functioning properly.
• Battery: Check your battery and the corrosion around the connections to ensure it is in good condition.
• Emergency kit: Prepare a winter emergency kit to keep in your car. This should include items such as a charged cell phone, flashlight or reflective triangles, snow brush, ice scraper, traction materials (such as sand or kitty litter), and warm clothing.
• Avoid cruise control: Do not use standard cruise control when driving on icy roads. More modern, adaptive cruise control systems are far more reliable, but it is still best to take a hands-on approach.
• Visibility: Maintain good visibility by ensuring your defroster is set to a high enough temperature to prevent your windshield from fogging up or frosting over. Keep your headlights on when it's snowing.

How to avoid skidding on ice

Driving on icy roads can be dangerous, with ice causing over 1,800 deaths and 136,000 injuries each year. Here are some tips to avoid skidding on ice:

Prepare Your Vehicle

Before setting off, ensure your vehicle is in good condition and suitable for driving in icy conditions. Check your tyres for wear and tear, and ensure they are properly inflated. Winter tyres are preferable as they provide better grip on snowy and icy surfaces. Check your lights, brakes, battery, and windscreen wipers. Make sure your windscreen is clean and free of ice and snow.

Drive Carefully and Consistently

Avoid driving if you are unable to focus, and always drive with extreme caution. Avoid cruise control, and drive at a speed appropriate for the weather and traffic conditions. Avoid making sudden lane changes or turns, as these could cause skidding. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, as stopping distances are much longer on icy roads.

What to Do If You Skid

If your vehicle starts to skid, remove your foot from the accelerator and avoid slamming on the brakes. Instead, softly pump the brakes to trigger your ABS to safely lock your brakes. Avoid wild corrections with the steering wheel, and try to calmly correct your vehicle's orientation. Steer into the skid, turning your steering wheel in the direction that your back wheels are moving.

The dangers of black ice

Black ice is a thin coat of highly transparent ice that forms on paved surfaces when the temperature drops below freezing. It is often hard to spot due to its transparency and the fact that it blends in with road pavements, making it a serious hazard for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Here are some of the dangers associated with black ice:

Reduced Traction and Control

Black ice causes a loss of traction, making it difficult for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians to maintain control and balance. This loss of traction can lead to skidding, sliding, and falling, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Increased Braking Distance

The reduced traction on icy roads lengthens the distance required for vehicles to come to a complete stop. Following another vehicle too closely on icy roads can be dangerous as it may not be possible to stop in time to avoid a collision.

Poor Visibility

Black ice is nearly invisible to motorists and pedestrians due to its transparent nature and the low levels of noticeable ice pellets, snow, or sleet surrounding it. This invisibility can lead to unexpected slippage and accidents.

Formation on Bridges and Overpasses

Bridges and overpasses are particularly susceptible to black ice formation because cold air can flow underneath the elevated road surface, lowering the pavement temperature. This makes these structures even more hazardous for drivers, as they are more likely to encounter unexpected patches of ice.

Difficulty in Identification

Black ice tends to form in shaded areas of the roadway, making it challenging for drivers to identify and react to in time. Even experienced drivers may not realize they are driving on black ice until they start to lose control of their vehicles.

Increased Reaction Time

When a vehicle hits a patch of black ice, the recommended response is to avoid braking and instead take your foot off the accelerator to reduce speed. However, this requires quick thinking and a calm presence of mind, which can be difficult to maintain in a stressful situation.

In summary, black ice poses a significant threat to road safety by reducing traction, increasing braking distances, and impairing visibility. It is essential for drivers to exercise extreme caution when navigating roads during cold weather, especially on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas. By being vigilant, driving at appropriate speeds, and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles, motorists can help reduce the risk of accidents and keep themselves and others safe.

What to do if you get into an accident on an icy road

If you get into an accident on an icy road, the danger doesn't end there. Other vehicles may lose control in the same place you did, and a large percentage of icy road fatalities occur when people exit their vehicles and are hit by secondary out-of-control vehicles. Here are some steps to follow if you are involved in an accident on an icy road:

• If your vehicle is still driveable, keep moving until you arrive at a safe place to pull off the road. You are at risk of causing additional accidents by remaining on the road, and you may be hit by other vehicles that lose control. If there are multiple vehicles involved in the accident and they are all still driveable, and if there are no injuries, encourage everyone to move to the nearest safe location off the road.
• If your car is disabled, stay in your vehicle if traffic is approaching. You have a better chance of surviving if you are inside your car rather than standing outside.
• If possible, get away from the road as quickly as you can. Once no traffic is approaching, exit your vehicle and get as far off the road as possible. Be careful, as the icy pavement will be difficult to walk on.
• If you can't get off the road, stay in your car. Your vehicle can absorb further direct impacts from sliding cars better than your body can.
• Do not get out of your car and stand on the road. Do not worry about inspecting the damage to your car—worry about the other cars that are approaching the same icy spot.
• Do not stop for accidents or stranded vehicles along an icy road. Being a Good Samaritan can cause more problems than it solves in these conditions. It is best to contact the authorities (call 911) who are equipped to safely block the road or divert traffic while a tow truck is called.

Frequently asked questions