You’re Driving on Thin Ice

Weird but true fact about Uranus, the winters there last for 21 years! If the winters here on Earth lasted that long there would be an approximate 4100% increase in total deaths due to car crashes due to winter weather nationally. Every year there are over 1,300 people killed in traffic accidents resulting from snowy conditions according to the Department of Transportation, and the snow falls from November to April. That means if a full year was all winter and the average number of people killed stayed the same, the number of people killed would double to 2,600. Multiply that number by 21 and you would have 54,600 people die each winter if we lived on Uranus. If my math is correct, that is 42x the number of people dead on Earth. Lucky for us, we do not live on Uranus. Unfortunately for us, too many people are still dying due to winter weather driving.

Blizzard driving is a risky and dangerous situation. From the months of November to April, 49 out of the 50 states have to deal with treacherous weather conditions better known as blizzards. High-gusting winds blow white snow across the slippery icy roads. “White Knuckle Driving” at its finest. The driver is so focused that they have their hands gripping the steering wheel so tight that their knuckles turn white. This type of driving is not an uncommon occurrence during severe storms. The storms themselves are also not out-of-the-ordinary; when winter storms are about 20 percent of the total precipitation per year.

When you are driving on those hazardous icy roads, there are a few things you want to keep in mind. Firstly, drivers should increase the distance between their car and the one in front of them to account for the amount of time needed to brake safely. A way to count this amount of time is to watch for signs on the side of the road. When the car in front of you completely passes that sign, start counting and stop counting when the front of your car reaches that same sign. Ideally, the count should be 8 to 10 seconds.

Slow down on the roads! This could possibly be the most important tip. The roads may only look wet, but they are slippery and you should drive with caution. There is no reason to drive around, Mario Kart style, on those icy curvy roads. If and when you do start to slide, it is important to stay calm. Make sure to take your foot off the gas but you also do not want to slam on the brakes. Instead, gently pump the brakes and it will trigger the ABS to safely lock your brakes. At that same time, you want to be steering in the opposite direction of the way you are sliding to correct for the skidding. Be careful though, oversteering can cause your vehicle to spin even more uncontrollably. Cruise control should never be used when driving during extreme weather. If you have cruise control on and you do end up losing traction, your car will keep moving as though you are pressing the gas which can cause you to spin violently. Cruise control can also cause you to lose your much-needed focus, so it is better to just avoid using it altogether.

Another way to drive more safely during the winter months is to keep a winter driving kit in your car. This kit can help tremendously if you get caught on the road during a severe winter storm or get stuck in a ditch in below-freezing temperatures. AAA recommends the following materials be packed in the kit; a bag of abrasive material, a snow shovel, traction mats, an ice scraper, window washing liquid, booster cables, a flashlight, warning flares, a cell phone and charger, an extra set of gloves, blanket, and emergency food supplies with sufficient water.

Drivers should also try to limit the number of lane changes they make when driving on icy roads. There is an increased risk because of the snow that gathers between lanes. One of my close friends was driving on the highway on her way to a party during a snowstorm a couple of years ago. She was merging into the lane for her exit when her car slid off the road and rolled multiple times before it landed in the ditch. Her car was totaled, but luckily she and the other passengers in her car were not seriously injured.

Sometimes, when the weather is extreme the roads can be unforgivable and you are better off just staying at home. No party, trip to the store, or errand is worth risking your life. Be safe and make smart decisions during the winter months and stay home. When news officials warn that you should not drive unless absolutely necessary, listen to them. When you get alerts on your phone about winter weather advisories, prepare and run your errands before so you can stay in your nice heated house under blankets with a hot chocolate in hand rather than going out with your friends for dinner. Take a rain (or snow in this case) check and go out once the weather gets nicer and the roads are in a better condition. It is much better to be safe than sorry. Avoid that risky situation and do not walk on thin ice by staying home whenever possible.

All this information is taught in driver’s education. That is why it is so important to pay attention in class. Do not cut corners and make sure to complete all the work on your own to ensure you understand the material. New drivers especially struggle with winter driving and can cause accidents with serious consequences if they do not follow the safety procedures they are taught. Let’s all create a safer road by being focused while driving and taking any necessary precautions before driving.