how do you aviod car crashes in the snow?

Question

i've been watching all of these videos and i know you don't break but what do you do?

Answer 1

Don't drive in the snow?


But I assume you are asking where the situation is already occuring. I would suggest driving slowly, but like you said no braking. A fast braking could cause a spinout.

Don't tailgate. If you see someone stop ahead then lay off the gas, but don't hit the brake too hard. Slowly press down on it. If that doesn't work, about all you've got left is prayer, because attempting to turn will almost certainly cause a spinout. So try not to get close enough where you have to try to turn the wheel to dodge the person in front.

If you get into a spinout, lay off the gas but do not hit the brake. Turn the wheel into the turn (if you spin to the left turn the wheel to the left, if to the right then turn the wheel to the right). When you feel the tires catch solid road again press the brake slowly and try to straighten out the wheels, but do it slowly.

Answer 2

1. instead of driving a short distance or a few car lengths behind someone as if it was dry, you increase that distance by at least 6-10 car lengths.

this gives you time to react, brake, steer, etc to avoid any issues.

2. you ensure you have good tires for snow bite. many people cheap on tires when its one of the most important things on the car, as its the only point that touches pavement and keeps you on that pavement.

a cheap tire against a good tire is like trying to walk on ice or having a pair of speed ice skates. one no control, one total control.

3. own a 4x4 or AWD or even Traction Controlled vehicle. These give more assistance in bad weather. My Chevy Blazer w/ 4x4 is a total blast in the snow. I can sit at a light in a foot of snow, when it goes green, stomp it and never spin a tire but take off at over 1/2 the normal dry pavement take off speed. I just tear away from others in the snow, all due to tires and 4x4.

4. best way to avoid them is practice practice practice. when I was 16-18 a buddy and I use to go off into a church parking lot and do donuts, spin outs, reverse spins, emergency brake lock ups and spin outs, etc. Sure it was fun and we had a blast. But we also learned how to control the car in the snow. And that later translated onto the normal roads, as our brains had already been trained on what to do.

Answer 3

Slow down, don't follow the vehicle in front of you so close.

If you have 4WD don't think you can drive as fast as you want because you aren't going to be able to stop any faster. 4WD only helps you get moving easier, it does nothing to help you stop. If you have never used 4WD before avoid using it until you can practice in a non-traffic area, because 4WD can be very tricky to get used to especially if you've never used it before.

Leave earlier to allow extra time to arrive at your destination, so you don't have to try to drive so fast to get there in time. And if you do happen to be late, just think that you made it in one piece and what might have happened if you had tried to drive faster (died in a car wreck on the way).

If you have snow tires use them. They provide better traction than standard street tires, as the snow tires have more aggressive tread. You don't necessarily need studded tires, which only help when your driving on ice. Studded tires do nothing to help you in snow.

You can apply the brakes, just don't slam on them because if you do they will instantly lock (yes even with anti-lock brakes) and you won't be able to steer the vehicle. With anti-lock brakes apply firm pressure but don't slam on the pedal. With standard brakes (non-antilock) gently pump the brakes (which is actually what an anti-lock brake system does, just many times a second) pumping the brakes slows you down but doesn't allow the brakes to lock.

Someone above mentioned downshifting, which is good, I will just add, do that with caution, downshifting at too high of an RPM and at too fast of a speed will cause the drive wheels to skid and can cause you to lose control of the vehicle. So when downshifting do so at low RPM's to avoid a sudden torque change to the drive wheels.

When taking off from a stop do so easily, don't floor-board the accelerator as you will spin the tires and can cause you to go into a skid.

Answer 4

Driving in snow can be extremely dangerous, speed kills in these situations. Slow down, and always be aware of your surroundings. You're right about not slamming on the breaks, just ease off the gas and step on the break slowly. Good luck and be careful out there. :)

Answer 5

Drive much slower than normal to begin with...

And it's okay to pump the brakes a little...just don't leave them on...it's better to downshift, or just take the foot off the gas if you hit some ice...locking up the wheels will actually make the car go faster on ice...

Or wet grass...

(don't ask)

Answer 6

Almost everyone has anti lock breaks now, that helps. Just drive slow enough so you can stop in time and keep from losing control and go even slower around corners. You can break, you just need to do it gradually so if you are going to fast it's tough to make any accident maneuvers.

Answer 7

I dont drive when it is snowing and the roads are dangerous.
Better LATE to wherever than DEAD!
oh yeah, the guy above me is right too...snow tires and/or chains are wise.

Answer 8

Put chains on the wheels, don't drive fast, leave extra room between the car in front of you and your car, don't drive like a jerk, etc.


its common sense.

Answer 9

the key is to stick to a medium pace say 30km/h to fast u slide n stuff, but too slow u ur car conks out and over revs and overheats cos of the conditions

Answer 10

Stay home
Because everybody else drives like crazy too