Icy road and snow driving tips for South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. – With possible wintry weather forecast, there is a risk of hazardous road conditions Friday through Saturday. This means now is the time to make sure you are prepared for driving in snow or on icy roads.

The best advice, of course, is to stay off the road completely. Even a small layer of ice can cause roads and bridges to become slippery, increasing the likelihood of a car accident. However, if you need to drive because of work or family control, here are some tips from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) to do so as safely as possible.

Drive slower in wet, snowy or icy conditions. At lower speeds you are more likely to maintain control of your vehicle. Slow down when approaching intersections, exits, bridges, or shady areas, all of which are potential problem areas for black ice.

Reduce speed and allow enough space to stop. Everything takes longer in slippery conditions, so give yourself that wiggle room. Not only does it give you that space, but it also protects you from other drivers who may not be driving appropriately.

To reduce the risk of losing control of the vehicle when driving on snow, ice or wet roads, avoid excessive movements when steering, braking or accelerating.

Slow down by accelerating more slowly. Take your feet completely off the accelerator and keep your steering wheel in the position it is in. Driving slower gives you more control and avoids unnecessary damage.

Gentle braking will help you avoid skidding. If you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), press the pedal firmly and hold it down. If you do not have an anti-lock brake system, press the pedal carefully.

If your vehicle starts to skid:

• Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
• Countersteer: If the rear of your vehicle slides to the left, steer to the left and the vehicle will skid. If it slides to the right, steer to the right. Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to move.
• If you have standard brakes, apply them carefully.
• If you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), do not apply the brakes. Apply even pressure to the brakes. You will feel the braking impulse – this is normal.

If you go off the road, try to steer toward things that will cause the least amount of damage, such as an empty field or yard.

Don’t assume that your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive vehicles can have problems on winter roads.

If your vehicle is equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), make sure it is turned on. ESC helps you maintain control of your vehicle when it loses traction.

Keep your lights and windshield clean and turn on your lights so you are visible to other drivers.

Pay attention to road conditions

Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and rarely traveled roads, which tend to freeze first. Even in above-freezing temperatures and wet conditions, ice can occur in shaded areas or on exposed roads such as bridges. Please note that road conditions are constantly changing.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) has a number of resources to help you monitor conditions across the state.

Black ice is a thin layer of clear ice that can form on the road surface and is often difficult to see, especially at night.

Do you think your 4WD or 4WD will be helpful on black ice? Think about it again. All vehicles have 4-wheel brakes. Your vehicle’s anti-lock braking system can help you stop safely and regain control.

If you encounter black ice, stay calm and avoid overreacting. The general rule is to do as little as possible and let the car drive over the ice.

• Don’t hit the brakes.
• Try to keep the steering wheel straight.
• If you feel the back of your car slipping to the left or right, very gently turn the steering wheel in the same direction. If you try to fight it by steering in the opposite direction, you risk skidding or spinning.

Avoid using cruise control in winter driving conditions.

When driving in adverse weather conditions, look further ahead in traffic than you normally do. Actions from other vehicles alert you to problems more quickly and may give you a split second more time to respond appropriately.

If you get stuck, don’t spin the wheels. This will only delve you deeper into the subject. Instead:

• Spin your wheels back and forth a few times to push the snow out of the way.
• Lightly press the accelerator pedal to make it easier to move your vehicle.
• Use a shovel to remove snow from the wheels and underside of the car.
• Sprinkle sand, cat litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels to improve traction.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) urges people to avoid traveling during winter weather events if possible.

If you must travel, authorities ask that you use extreme caution, reduce speed, stay away from road crews conducting clearing and de-icing work, and approach bridges and overpasses with extreme caution because ice accumulates there first .