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First Snow of Season Tests Winter Driving Skills, Says AAA Michigan

8 December 2000

First Snow of Season Tests Winter Driving Skills, Says AAA Michigan

    DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 7 In Southeast Michigan, the first
snow of the season often catches some drivers off guard.  According to AAA
Michigan, the leading cause of traffic crashes on ice-slicked, snow-clogged
roads is following the car in front too closely.  The Auto Club recommends
increasing your following distance on slippery roads from the good-road gap of
3 seconds to 6 seconds.
    A good way to measure the six-second time gap is to pick out a distinct
road marking or sign, and then begin counting when the car ahead passes that
spot -- "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two ..."
    Use extra caution on shaded areas and bridges, overpasses and
intersections -- areas where ice is likely to form first or be slipperiest
because the shiny ice surface has either been polished by previous traffic, a
thin layer of water covers melting ice below or a temperature difference
exists.

    Winter Driving Tips
    * Improve visibility by clearing all snow and ice from the entire car --
hood, roof, trunk, turn signals, lights, windows, mirrors, even fender wells.
Also, driving with headlights on low-beam provides better road illumination in
snow and fog than using high-beams.
    * Remember, posted speed limits are set for ideal road and weather
conditions.
    * Avoid sudden starts, stops and turns.  Accelerate carefully to avoid
wheel spin.
    * Don't brake hard.
    * In a skid, ease off the accelerator and don't lock up the brakes.
Carefully steer in the direction you want the car to go and straighten the
wheel as soon as the car begins to go in the desired direction.
    * Anticipate potential danger such as ice on bridges, snow-covered lane
markings, stalled cars and poor visibility.  Adjust speed, increase distance
between other cars or change lanes to avoid trouble.  Watch for other drivers
who may be unprepared for changing road conditions.
    * Motorists should carry shovel, boots and other winter items in their
trunks and make sure vehicles have at least a half tank of gas.