How should you react when driving in icy conditions?

When driving in icy conditions, it’s crucial to adjust your driving strategy for safety. Reducing your speed allows for better control of the vehicle and helps in avoiding skids or loss of traction that can result from icy surfaces. Increasing your following distance is equally important; this provides ample time to react if the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops or loses control. With longer stopping distances required on ice, maintaining a greater space between vehicles significantly enhances safety.

Driving at high speeds can severely compromise your ability to respond to sudden obstacles or changes in road conditions. Focusing only on the car ahead might lead to a lack of awareness of other crucial factors in your environment. While avoiding steering or braking can be tempting on ice, it’s essential to be able to steer and brake smoothly if needed. Making gradual adjustments is vital for maintaining control in slippery conditions. Thus, driving at lower speeds while increasing your following distance is the most effective way to handle icy driving conditions safely.