Driving On Icy Roads

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30453, 29 May 1964, Page 9

Driving On Icy Roads

TCE is not as severe a winter problem in Canterbury as in more southerly parts of the island, but it is still one which motorists would do well to keep in mind during the next few months. But what can a driver do if he finds himself on the road in icy conditions? The important thing to remember on ice is ‘ that braking distances go up as much as 10 times, says Mr G. Eyles, director of tests for the British Institute of Advanced Motorists, and former chief of the Police Drivers’ Training School. “The biggest danger from driving under these conditions is skidding, and your first skid—when the rear of the car wants to change places with the front—can be a frightening business, because if you fail to take prompt action it will do just that,” Mr Eyles says.

“Use your road observation to anticipate changing road conditions; shaded patches on a thawing snow-bound road are particularly dangerous, and braking should be avoided when driving over them. “A skid occurs when a force which is stronger than the grip of the tyres on the road acts on the car in a direction other than that in which it is travelling. Whilst road conditions can encourage skidding, the main causes rest with the driver; sudden hard braking, harsh steering movements, fierce acceleration which results in wheel spin, driving too fast having regard to road conditions, or a combination of these faults.”

The two most likely types of skid are the rear-wheel skid and the four-wheel skid, Mr Eyles says. In a rearwheel skid, the car attempts to turn broadside on, and will do so if the driver fails to take immediate action. The

skid is accompanied by a feeling of lightness in the steering. The four-wheel skid produces a feeling of increased speed rather than the desired reduction, and usually occurs When the wheels are locked by heavy braking.

Front-wheel skids sometimes occur on bends or corners, usually because of excessive speed, and they can also occur on ice-free but wet, or even dry, roads if the speed is too high. On ice or snow, however, always drive so as to avoid the risk of skidding or reduce it to a minimum, Mr Eyles says. He advises letting the tyre pressures down by about a third, to bring more rubber in contact with the road, and driving at lower speeds. Brake very lightly and distance between your car and the one in front. “If you follow this advice any skid which does occur will probably be so slight that you can immediately correct it by removing your foot from the accelerator and reducing speed, and simultaneously turning into the skid. “If the rear of the car turns to the left, turn the steering wheel to the left, enough to correct the skid, but not long enough to induce a skid in the opposite direction; when the car is under control again, re-apply acceleration very gently and smoothly. Do not push out the clutch. “When driving on snow or ice, keep in the highest gear consistent with smooth running and traction for, whereas your car will travel steadily in third or top gear, in first or second gear, even slight pressure on the accelerator will produce wheelspin and this may result in an unnecessary skid.”