Winter in St. Louis is certainly here. With the many recent snowstorms, we thought it would be a great time for a refresher course on driving in the snow.
- Take your time. Apply the gas and brakes more slowly than you do normally. This is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids, according to AAA.
- Think about the hills. Don’t stop on the incline of an icy hill – you may not have the traction and inertia to make it up, creating a traffic nightmare for anyone behind you. Additionally, don’t try to power up hills, it will only make your wheels spin.
- Drive slowly. This may seem like a no-brainer, but don’t get in a hurry. Build extra travel time into your commute or plans, and, again, take your time.
- Mind other cars. On dry pavement, your following distance should be around three to four seconds. In the snow, there should be between eight and ten seconds between cars.
- Know how to slide. If you do start to slide on ice, turn your front wheels in the same direction that the rear of the vehicle is sliding – for instance, if the back of your car slides to the left, turn the wheel to the left.
- Stay home. If you don’t have to be out in a snow storm, just wait it out. Road crews and plows will be there soon enough to clear the roads, so enjoy the scenery and relax.
While we wish for a milder winter, we hope you will be prepared for any more snow we get this season.