Extreme Driving Conditions

Snow

• The type of snow on the road will play a part in how a driver should approach maneuvering his/her vehicle
• A light powdery snow will blow off the road causing few problems.  If there is enough powder to cover the road it will form a slick, smooth surface.
• A heavier, slushy snow can affect vehicle control.  If the snow becomes hard packed it can cause an ice hazard.
• A driver should start out slowly and smoothly when driving on a snowy road.  If the drive wheels slip, the driver should take his/her foot off the accelerator and start the maneuver over.
• Steering and braking should also be done with care to minimize skids.  In extremely severe conditions, chains will help improve a rig’s traction.
• Falling snow can also reduce visibility.  The addition of wind can cause even greater visibility problems.  As well as making it harder to see the road, wind-driven snow can obscure signs, road markings, and off ramps.
• The use of low beam headlights can help others see your driver’s rig.  As with foggy conditions, never use high beam headlights.  They actually reduce a driver’s visibility.
• Slowing down and increasing following distance are important for both visibility and vehicle control purposes.
• Another danger posed by driving in snow is called “snow hypnosis”.  This is caused when a driver travels directly into a heavy snow fall and begins to stare at the snowflakes.  This can have a hypnotic effect on a driver, especially at night.

Ice

• An icy road can be even more dangerous than a snowy road,  All drivers need to be alert for changes in a road’s surface that may affect traction.
• Probably the most dangerous icing condition is black ice.  What makes black ice dangerous is the fact that most drivers aren’t aware of black ice until it is too late.
• Black ice forms a when temperatures drop rapidly and moisture on the road freezes into a smooth, nearly invisible, slippery surface.
• On clod days when the road is wet, drivers should keep an eye on the spray thrown from other vehicles.  If this spray suddenly stops, black ice may be forming
• Ice at or near the freezing point is more dangerous than colder ice.  Hot tires tend to stick better to colder ice than ice at or near the freezing point.
• Bridges and overpasses can be dangerous when conditions are right for ice to form.  Ice forms fires on bridges and overpasses.  This happens because air can circulate both above and below the surface of the bridge or overpass.  This causes the temperature to drop more rapidly than on a normal road.
• Braking distance is also a concern when traveling in icy conditions.  Depending on temperature and road conditions, braking distance can increase 4 to 10 times that of braking distance on a dry road.
• When it comes to safe braking in icy conditions, follow the directions provided by the manufacturer of your vehicle.  Braking technique varies depending on the type of brakes on your vehicle.
• A driver should also try to anticipate situations that may require him/her to stop.  The more time there is to brake, the less chance there is of skidding or getting into an accident.

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