Skidding on icy roads is a common fear for many drivers during winter weather conditions. With freezing temperatures persisting into January, a motoring expert has provided vital advice on how to handle such situations.
Adrian Flux Insurance emphasized a crucial step when your car starts sliding on hazardous roads. In a TikTok video, the specialists emphasized the importance of ensuring clear windows and lights, driving slowly and cautiously in snowy or icy conditions. They demonstrated the proper technique by advising drivers to “steer gently into the skid.”
In simple terms, if your vehicle’s rear veers right, you should turn your wheel right. The experts cautioned against removing your hands from the steering wheel or braking hard.
This approach of steering into the skid helps align your wheels with your vehicle’s direction, allowing your tires to regain traction on the surface. Steering against the skid increases the risk of overcorrection, potentially leading to a dangerous spin or exacerbating fishtailing.
The AA recommends gentle acceleration, shifting to a higher gear promptly, and reducing speed while driving. They also advise monitoring the vehicle in front for clues on black ice patches and adjusting driving accordingly.
Additionally, the AA warns that heavy snowfall reduces visibility, requiring drivers to proceed cautiously and allow more reaction time. Braking distances can significantly increase in wet conditions, with snowy conditions leading to much longer stopping distances.
Feedback on TikTok praised the advice, with one driver appreciating clarification on the “into the skid” technique, while others shared their own experiences successfully applying the method in challenging driving conditions.