Is it safe to drive the day after snow?
Many drivers find themselves caught off guard during the winter’s first snow. In fact, the most dangerous day to be on the roads is the day after the first snowstorm [source: Elliott]. To ready your car for the winter, check that each of your tires has at least a 6/32-inch (4.8-millimeter) deep tread.
When is the most dangerous day to drive in the snow?
Many drivers find themselves caught off guard during the winter’s first snow. In fact, the most dangerous day to be on the roads is the day after the first snowstorm [source: Elliott ]. Drivers haven’t prepared their cars for the wintry weather, and they’ve probably forgotten their snow driving techniques from last year.
What are the driving conditions in the winter?
Rain, slush, snow, ice and cold temperatures are all part of winter driving. Stopping your passenger vehicle in these conditions can be challenging, as your tires have less traction on cold and often slippery road surfaces.
When to stop on a snow covered road?
For example, if you’re driving on a set of all-season tires on a rain-covered road at 80 km/h, you’ll need twice the distance to stop than you would when driving at 50 km/h. Not surprisingly, snow and ice covered roads create even longer stopping distances:
What to do when it snows in the morning?
You wake up one morning to find the roads blanketed in a thick carpet of snow. It’s still too early for the snowplows to have gotten around to your small neighborhood, but you have to get to work on time this morning. You’re a little nervous about the commute, but you get in your car and begin your drive anyway.
Many drivers find themselves caught off guard during the winter’s first snow. In fact, the most dangerous day to be on the roads is the day after the first snowstorm [source: Elliott ]. Drivers haven’t prepared their cars for the wintry weather, and they’ve probably forgotten their snow driving techniques from last year.
What makes the roads dangerous in the winter?
If light snow is falling with temperatures near freezing the traffic will melt the snow on roads making wet road surfaces. If the light snow continues as temperatures fall, such as during a strong cold frontal passage, the moisture will remain on the roads and turn to ice. Ice storms can create particularly dangerous road conditions
Is it dangerous to drive on snow covered roads?
Snow covered roads can be messy, though for most cold and dry snow events the traction is generally uniform, predictable and manageable. There are, however, a variety of meteorological conditions that can produce exceptionally dangerous and slippery road surfaces.
What’s the best speed to drive on a snowy road?
Drive as fast as you can while still feeling in control of the vehicle, no matter the speed limit (without going over, of course). If it’s 30, and you can safely drive 30, great. If it’s 60, but you can only drive 30, do it.