Road crew chiefs in Benton and Washington counties have one message: Stay home Thursday if you can.What if I have to drive?Kimma Harper, the president of the Driving Academy of Northwest Arkansas, shared these tips for staying safe in wintery conditions a couple winters ago:Slow DownHarper says there is no such thing as driving “too slow” in icy conditions. She says you should never accelerate or brake over potentially icy spots, and recommends “coasting” over bridges and shady spots that may accumulate ice.Give Yourself Plenty of RoomShe says to increase the distance between you and the car in front of you. Harper explains they normally advise people to follow two seconds behind when driving at a medium speed, but in icy or snowy conditions, you should multiply that by three.Don’t “Steer into the Skid”Many of us were taught this, but Harper says it is old-fashioned and comes from a time when cars did not have technology like traction control. If you get caught in a skid, she advises you to ease off whichever pedal you are pushing, then gently steer and look in the direction you want the car to go.She says many people look at an object they are about to hit, making it more likely you will steer the car towards it. Harper says refrain from turning the wheel 360 degrees, because when the car regains traction, you could end up doing doughnuts.Use Your Lower GearsIn order to maintain a slower speed, you can utilize the first, second, and third gears of your car. Harper says all vehicles, both manual and automatic, allow the driver to shift to lower gears, giving you more traction in icy conditions.She also suggests shifting your car to neutral if you know you need to stop. She says shifting into neutral will disengage the gears, and stop the engine from pulling the car forward while you attempt to stop.Check Your TiresHarper says with every 10-degree drop in the temperature, you lose one pound per square inch of pressure in your tire. She says that removes the benefit of all the tread built in to your tires.Be PreparedYear-round, you should be sure to stock your car with supplies, in case of emergency. In the winter months, those include blankets and ice scrapers. She also recommends always having a half tank of gas in your car, in the event it takes an extended period of time to get to your destination because of the road conditions.
Road crew chiefs in Benton and Washington counties have one message: Stay home Thursday if you can.
What if I have to drive?
Kimma Harper, the president of the Driving Academy of Northwest Arkansas, shared these tips for staying safe in wintery conditions a couple winters ago:
Slow Down
Harper says there is no such thing as driving “too slow” in icy conditions. She says you should never accelerate or brake over potentially icy spots, and recommends “coasting” over bridges and shady spots that may accumulate ice.
Give Yourself Plenty of Room
She says to increase the distance between you and the car in front of you. Harper explains they normally advise people to follow two seconds behind when driving at a medium speed, but in icy or snowy conditions, you should multiply that by three.
Don’t “Steer into the Skid”
Many of us were taught this, but Harper says it is old-fashioned and comes from a time when cars did not have technology like traction control. If you get caught in a skid, she advises you to ease off whichever pedal you are pushing, then gently steer and look in the direction you want the car to go.
She says many people look at an object they are about to hit, making it more likely you will steer the car towards it. Harper says refrain from turning the wheel 360 degrees, because when the car regains traction, you could end up doing doughnuts.
Use Your Lower Gears
In order to maintain a slower speed, you can utilize the first, second, and third gears of your car. Harper says all vehicles, both manual and automatic, allow the driver to shift to lower gears, giving you more traction in icy conditions.
She also suggests shifting your car to neutral if you know you need to stop. She says shifting into neutral will disengage the gears, and stop the engine from pulling the car forward while you attempt to stop.
Check Your Tires
Harper says with every 10-degree drop in the temperature, you lose one pound per square inch of pressure in your tire. She says that removes the benefit of all the tread built in to your tires.
Be Prepared
Year-round, you should be sure to stock your car with supplies, in case of emergency. In the winter months, those include blankets and ice scrapers. She also recommends always having a half tank of gas in your car, in the event it takes an extended period of time to get to your destination because of the road conditions.
