Living where the snow falls has undoubtedly given you your fair share of experiences with overconfident drivers who blow right by you on a snowy road, leaving you to wonder if they’ve ended up in an accident or on the side of the road in a ditch. After years of testing and driving cars in Maryland, we know a thing or two about driving in snow and how to improve your chances of arriving safely at your destination.
Read the Maryland Roads
Is the surface of the road dull or shiny? Are there bare spots on the pavement mixed with piles of shaded snow? Is the powder uniformly coating the surface? Is the outside temperature rising, creating a slushy mess, or is it still cold enough to keep the snow crunchy and light? You can understand a lot about the available traction ahead just by knowing what to look for, without stopping to get out of your car and assess the ground.
In general, shiny roads are indicative of ice or water. Shady spots can be deceptive, giving you a false sense of security when looking at the dry pavement beyond them. Dry snow offers better traction than slush.
Look Far Ahead When Driving in Snow
The slipperier the road becomes, the farther down the path you need to look. Anticipating what to do next can mitigate any knee-jerk reactions you might make. Significantly slow down for turns, allow double the lag distance between you and the vehicle ahead when the road is wet, and triple the space on actual snow. When it’s icy, drive slow and leave as much room as possible for stopping distance. Driving carefully takes extra concentration, so minimize any distractions.
Engage Your Anti-Lock Brakes
When you need to stop quickly, and all else has failed, engage the assistance of your car’s anti-lock brake system (ABS). Most Toyotas on the road today come with anti-lock brakes. This system uses an onboard computer to maximize braking under extreme circumstances. If you find yourself skidding and cannot recover, push the brake pedal down as hard as possible, and don’t let up. The ABS computer will do the rest, braking each wheel aggressively based on the detected traction.
You can use your ABS to assess your traction, as well. To check how much grip you have, apply your brakes gently for a few seconds while driving in a straight line. ABS is activated if the brake pedal chatters with no significant deceleration, and the road beneath is slippery. If you can slow down without the ABS activating, then you are on a grippier surface.
Sloppy road conditions from bad weather and winter storms are a factor for nearly half a million crashes a year. Schedule a tune-up at DARCARS 355 Toyota of Rockville today. Don’t forget to have our service technicians verify that your tires are equipped to keep you safe.
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