Even though the calendar has told us that spring has arrived, the weather in late March and early April can be anything but spring-like. Freezing rain is largely considered the most dangerous weather condition to drive in, since it gives your tires nothing to grip the road. As a result, drivers must adjust accordingly in order to arrive at their destination safely.
Here are some tips when driving in these arduous conditions:
If you don't have to drive, stay home! Ice and driving don't mix, and in freezing rain conditions the roads become like a skating rink. If you've ever tried to walk across an ice rink, you know how difficult it is to avoid slipping. It’s the same with your car.
If you do have to drive, do so slowly and with extreme caution. Avoid braking whenever possible –- this can just cause your car to skid and you will lose control of the vehicle.
Keep a large distance between you and the car in front of you. Instead of using your brakes, just ease off the gas to slow your car. This means your stopping distance will be much longer.
Leave extra time. You'll need to drive more slowly, so leave extra time to reach your destination. Speeding will create an even more dangerous situation on the road.
Respect the salt/sand trucks. Drive behind them, since these trucks are there to make road conditions safer so you are actually safer behind them then trying to pass them.
Drive with snow tires. If you have not yet installed your snow tires, call your local garage and make an appointment! While they are designed for snow, they do have more grip in freezing conditions.