The driving experience varies significantly throughout the year. If in the warmer months the circumstances on the road tend to be more predictable, with the arrival of winter the scenario changes drastically. Adverse weather conditions add an additional level of complexity and risk to driving, requiring drivers to pay even greater attention to the road to preserve their safety and that of other users.
The presence of snow, ice, fog or heavy rain can be a challenge for motorists, especially when they are not used to driving under these circumstances. Driving skill becomes more important, and the need to adjust speed, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and use defensive driving techniques are decisive to mitigate accident risks and guarantee road safety.
Northgate, a company specializing in the flexible rental of professional and private vehicles, offers a series of tips to deal with the main weather adversities that drivers may encounter on the road in winter.
When there is fog on the road, the first rule we must adopt is to increase the safety distance. Leaving more space with respect to the vehicle in front of us will allow us to react better to unexpected and unnecessary braking. Likewise, we must set the low beams and do without the high beams, since the high beams bounce off the fog bank and will dazzle us without achieving the objective.
We will only turn on the fog lights – including the rear fog light – when the fog is really thick, since otherwise we are going to greatly disturb other road users.
A good trick to follow the route despite the fog is to pay attention to the longitudinal marks on the ground and not separate from them. If we have to stop the car, we must find a safe place, preferably at an exit or a service area. When getting out of the car we must do so safely and with the reflective vest on.
When the first drops of water appear and mix with the dirt on the ground and with the remains of oil from other cars, the asphalt becomes a real skating rink, especially if there are dry leaves on the asphalt: they form a seemingly harmless layer that can lengthen braking as if it were ice.
In a scenario like this, we must drive with great caution, adapting the speed to the circumstances at all times and considerably increasing the safety distance. When accelerating, braking or turning the steering we must be very careful to avoid losing control over our own car.
When the rain is intense we must take even more safety measures to avoid the dreaded aquaplaning. This phenomenon occurs when the tire is not able to evacuate the water that accumulates on the asphalt and floats on it, which can lead to losing control of the vehicle. In this case, you must hold the steering wheel firmly, do not brake hard and correct the trajectory gently when grip is recovered.
Driving on a slippery surface, whether due to the presence of snow or ice on the road, is a situation that requires extreme attention from the driver. Adjusting your speed, maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles and avoiding sudden maneuvers is part of the ABCs of safe driving in these winter conditions.
However, a recommendation that adds another layer of security in a scenario like this is to drive in one more gear than the situation usually requires. This will allow the engine to not rev as much and will minimize slipping of the drive wheels.
This advice is applicable when we move on a flat or uphill surface, because if what we do is go down a slope on ice or snow, the recommendation is the opposite: low gears to hold the car with the engine brake, using the pedal. Brake only when absolutely necessary and very gently.
Cars equipped with automatic transmissions often come with a special feature known as snow mode. This option is designed to increase driving safety by minimizing the chance of wheel spin on slippery surfaces. In some automatic vehicles, the gear lever has two different positions. In this case, we must select the second position to use only the first two speeds.
Ice is another of the driver’s great enemies during winter trips. This element is, if possible, more dangerous than snow, since it can sometimes be confused with areas of the road that are simply wet, creating an invisible trap for drivers.
If, inevitably, we drive over a patch of ice and notice that the car loses control, we must take our foot off the accelerator and not brake until we regain grip. Once we have left the icy surface behind, we must keep the wheels straight and if necessary, correct the trajectory with the steering wheel. Sudden maneuvers will only aggravate the situation.
Furthermore, it is essential that, before setting off, drivers check all the elements of the vehicle to ensure that they are working properly. Northgate recommends taking special care with both fluids (oil, coolant, windshield washers and brakes), as well as tires, lighting systems, filters, pads, brake discs or heating.
Low temperatures directly influence tire pressure and that is why it is essential to keep them correctly inflated before a trip.
