Driver mistakes on slippery roads

Discover the most common mistakes drivers make on slippery roads and learn how to avoid them to ensure your safety and those around you.

1. Excessive speed: One of the most common mistakes is driving at excessive speed in slippery road conditions. Adjust your speed to the road conditions and maintain an adequate distance from the vehicles in front of you to avoid accidents.
2. Sudden braking: Sudden braking can cause loss of vehicle control on slippery roads. Use the brakes lightly and anticipate maneuvers to reduce the risk of skidding.
3. Rapid acceleration: Sudden acceleration can cause the wheels to skid on slippery surfaces. Be gentle on the accelerator pedal and avoid sudden accelerations to maintain control of the car.
4. Neglecting the braking system: Make sure your car’s braking system is in good working order. Adequate brakes are essential on slippery roads, and regular maintenance of your car will help you avoid problems while driving.
5. Oversteer and Understeer: Oversteer occurs when the rear wheels of the car lose grip, while understeer happens when the front wheels lose grip. Understanding these concepts and how to correct them will help you manage tricky situations on slippery roads.
6. Failure to keep safe distance: Maintaining adequate distance between vehicles is crucial on slippery roads. The greater distance gives you more time to react and avoid collisions in case of emergency braking or loss of control of the car.
7. Neglecting to prepare for winter conditions: To avoid mistakes on slippery roads, prepare your car for winter conditions. Check tire pressure and grip, make sure your windshield defogger is working properly, and use cold-weather windshield fluid.

Avoiding these common mistakes will increase your safety on slippery roads. Be cautious, adjust your driving style and adapt to the weather conditions.