Icy Roads and What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

Our #1 icy road driving tip is to reduce your speed. The most important thing to do when driving in ice and snow is to slow down. High speeds make it easy to lose control and difficult to stop in time to avoid a collision. You should never drive faster than 45mph when roads are icy, according to AAA – not even on highways!  

In many cases, slower speeds are necessary. You can slide off the road easily on roads with black ice at 10mph or even less! If you’re fishtailing or sliding, it means you’re going too fast for the road conditions.

A factor in many serious and fatal crashes is overconfidence. Don’t overestimate your ability or your equipment. Examples include: traction control, anti-lock brakes, stability control and winter tires. Some people think they have sufficient experience in winter driving, and can continue normally (at or above the speed limit).  But a fishtail on ice that occurs at highway speeds is usually unrecoverable by even the most quick-witted and experienced driver. Practicing slow speed slides in parking lots is useless for what happens to a vehicle at highway speeds.  A person who enters a high-speed slide will quickly learn that it is something that they can’t handle! But that realization could be to late…

If you do begin fishtailing or sliding, it usually means you’re going too fast. Remember to reduce your speed and always turn into a slide.

Some other things to keep in mind while driving on icy roads:

• Wear your seat belt!
• Pay attention to the weather, it can change at anytime in Michigan!
• Go easy on your brakes.
• Don’t stop for stranded vehicles along icy roadways.
• Try to avoid curvy, hilly or dangerous roads during icy conditions, if at all possible.

Schedule Service on Your Domestic, Asian or European Car Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe on the road. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time. No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion at 734-761-1088 to schedule your appointment today! Our professional team would love to take care of you and your domestic, Asian or European made vehicle.

Happy and safe motoring from all of us at ArborMotion!