Learn To Drive In The Snow In Three Steps

Education & Development Articles

Have you ever driven in the snow? If you've only done it once or twice, you know it takes special skills to do it safely. Are you willing to go out on the road in snowy conditions without the relevant experience? Learning by doing is great for many things, but when it comes to driving in the snow, it could cause you to get really hurt. The same is true if you've never driven in the snow. You really need to know what you're doing before you get out on the wintry white road.

Whether you've just moved to a snowy climate or have lived in one for years but always avoided driving when it snowed, here are the three things you need know to master driving in the snow.

1. Keep Well Away from the Car in Front of You

One thing you do not want to do when driving in the snow is to drive too close to the car in front of you. Always keep a generous distance between you and the car in front of you. Don't pay attention to how close the cars behind you may be to you. Your concern is the car immediately in front.

You need to keep a large distance between you and the car in front of you because it will help you avoid rear-ending that car if you have to brake quickly. When you brake quickly in the snow, it is very easy to slide.

You may slide off to the side of the road, where you could get injured or stuck in a snow bank (and have to get towed). Or, you could slide right into the car in front of you. Either way, the potential for injury is there, not to mention a reckless driving ticket and increased insurance rates for the damage to your car.

2. Know How to Work the Gas Pedal

Driving in the snow requires a special technique with the gas pedal. It is common for your tires to spin or the car to slip in a direction counter to where you want to go when you accelerate from a standing point in the snow.

To prevent this from happening, ease up on the gas pedal when you accelerate if you feel the car slipping in place. Keep easing until the car stops slipping. Then, slowly apply the gas again in small increments until you are able to safely move forward without slipping.

3. Take Turns Appropriately

Turning corners in the snow requires care and precision in your driving. According to Edmunds.com, you should first gently apply the brake as you approach the corner. Turning a corner too fast in the snow can be disastrous.

Release the brakes when you turn the corner and take it as gently as possible, with your hands firmly on and in control of the steering wheel. After you're around the corner and straightened back out on the road, slowly accelerate again until you're moving at a reasonable speed (which should be slower than normal in the snow).

Conclusion

You can practice driving in snowy conditions in the rain (which is similar to snow in a lot of ways), or with an experienced snow driver by your side. The best way to do this is by taking driving lessons. There are a number of schools in most snowy cities that offer driving lessons for people who want to learn to drive safely in the snow.

Don't leave your safety or that of your family riding with you to chance. If you're inexperienced at driving in the snow, get professional lessons, click here to read, practice until you've perfected it, and become a snow driving pro.

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11 February 2015

Learning for a Lifetime

Ever since I was a small child, I submersed myself in books. Whenever I started a new work of literature, I was instantly transported to another exciting world. Besides burying myself in books, I also actually enjoyed going to school in order to learn new things. My love affair with learning motivated me to earn four college degrees. As an adult, I still enjoy becoming educated about unfamiliar things. Thankfully, I don’t ever have to stop learning. Many colleges and universities regularly provide continuing education courses for those whose thirst for knowledge is never quenched. Regardless of whether you wish to learn how to sew, dance, or excavate ancient ruins, you can discover your passion in a continuing education class. On this blog, you will find out more about this incredible opportunity to learn for a lifetime. Enjoy!