Adam Kleiner

Today brought the first snow of 2012 to the DC metro area.

The big, wet flakes reminded me of a winter driving story I wrote 8 years ago: “Sticky Winter Driving Situations Solved.”

An evergreen topic, you say?

That’s why I’m republishing it here…

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirm that in the winter months, vehicle crash rates pile up like bump runs in the Rockies. So if you plan to drive between now and March, fasten your seatbelt, use caution and consider these tips for navigating the sludge.

Stuck In a Snowbank
If the snowbank is the only thing separating your car and a 100-foot drop, call a tow truck. If there’s room to work, start rocking.

Shift to first gear and move forward a couple inches. Stop. Shift to reverse and rock back. Repeat. The key is gaining traction, which many winter warriors do by pouring sand or kitty litter under the tires. Your floor mats will work, too.

In any case, don’t spin the wheels. The ice patch you’ll form under the tires will only worsen the situation and your mood.

Zero to No Visibility
“If you can’t see, then it’s no fun. It’s just a demolition derby,” says Len Jackson, a 40-year veteran of International Ice Racing Association in St. Paul, Minn.

Proof that not all people who drive on frozen lakes are nuts.

If you must drive in blinding conditions, use only low beams (or fog lights) and dim all interior panel lights to reduce glare. Jackson says landmarks on the side of the road help confirm you’re still on it. Watch for things in front of you, too.

Also, be wary of using hazard lights unless you know state law. In some states, hazards signify a vehicle is slow-moving. In others, they signify it’s stopped.

Sliding on Ice
Regardless of what you’re driving, three rules apply for correcting a skid: stay calm, steer smoothly and don’t slam on the brakes—not even anti-lock brakes. “They don’t allow you to counteract the laws of physics,” says Mark Cox, director of the Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs, Colo.

If your rear wheels are sliding, look in the direction that you’d rather be going, steer that way and give it some gas. The boost of acceleration will transfer weight to the rear tires, helping you regain traction.

If your front wheels are sliding, lay off the gas. Hang on and slowly turn the wheel back until the tires catch.

Avoiding the Other Slider
In the event that another car is sliding into your lane, find the quickest route to safety and take it—even if that means plowing into a snowbank. “Never focus on the problem, always focus on the solution,” Cox says.

When a crash is imminent, try to maneuver so the impact point is either before the front axle or behind the rear axle of the oncoming vehicle. This will reduce the force of the blow.

Unlocking a Frozen Door
Auto stores now stock tubes of lock de-icer, making a relatively easy solution to freeze outs. Heating up your door key with a lighter also works. If the ice has sealed your door shut, don’t dowse it in hot water. You might crack the window, causing a different kind of winter driving challenge.

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