Rules to help drivers survive an unprecedented snowfall

According to Andrius Žiukelis, Head of the Expertise Department of the insurance company BTA, in winter drivers must be constantly reminded how to drive on slippery roads, but this time the country will face a natural amount of snow, which will be extraordinary. challenge even for experienced drivers.

“In winter, as well as in November, we always register more accidents on the roads due to weather conditions. But this week’s weather forecast really raises concerns about the safety of the population. Therefore, we ask everyone to stay home or limit car travel as much as possible. Due to possible congestion, we recommend that you take a trip earlier than usual. In addition, there are dangers even when you are not driving anywhere: it is advisable not to park your vehicles near the roofs of houses or under large trees, whose branches can damage the car due to the amount of snow, ”he says.

In the event of a minor accident, according to the expert, if the circumstances are clear and the participants have no questions, the accident statement must be completed as soon as possible, vehicle violations and scene, and automobiles must be photographed. they must be captured, causing less inconvenience to other road users.

Safe speed and distance will help

According to A. Žiukelis, every detail is essential when driving in such weather conditions. Before sitting in the car, it is necessary to thoroughly clear the snow, scrape off icy windows to get the best possible visibility, and prevent snow from falling on the windshield while driving.

“When there is a high probability of getting stuck in the snow and the grip on the road surface is poor, accelerate smoothly, drive at low revs and get into a higher gear as soon as possible. It is very important to shift into second gear as soon as possible to reduce wheel spin. Choose the appropriate and safe speed, and I also advise you to keep several times the distance of the vehicle in front, because the braking distance of the car on snowy and icy surfaces is much greater ”, explains the expert.

According to him, a safe distance should be maintained when preparing to go uphill in order to maintain a constant speed without changing gears. On a dangerous hill, the car in front should be allowed to climb fully and only then drive alone. For driving downhill, he advises using a low gear and trying to avoid braking unless absolutely necessary. Drivers of cars with a manual gearbox should avoid idling, especially on those roads. This is especially important when descending a hill and when cornering; this will keep the car a little more stable.

“Most cars on the streets already have various electronic systems to help drivers control their cars. One of the most important systems on slippery roads is ABS, which prevents the wheels from locking during more intense braking. If sudden braking is required, the driver only has to depress the brake pedal fully. If the car does not have this system, it is advisable to brake with short intermittent presses to keep the car under control and be able to drive. This is a test for drivers, especially for beginners, ”says A. Žiukelis.

Emphasize that the most important thing is not to disturb and, if possible, to get around the obstacle. However, many drivers in a stressful situation forget that the car’s wheels are not locked and the vehicle remains partially controlled.

Do not brake or take your hands off the wheel

The second system that many cars already have is the electronic stability system. Its function is to help control a car that has started to skid. According to the expert, the driver must know one rule: drive the car in the direction in which he wants to drive.

“Speed ​​must be reduced before the turn so that there is no need to brake during the turn. If the car has shown traction and begins to skid, it is important not to panic, in which case it is advisable not to press the accelerator, stop or take your hands off the wheel ”, advises A. Žiukelis.

If you have to sit behind the wheel in a lot of snow, it is recommended to make sure that the low beam headlights are on, it is not enough to rely on the daytime running lights as they do not always turn on the headlights at the rear of the car. . When visibility drops below 100m, the fog lights should be turned on.

“When driving in difficult conditions, it is important to be vigilant and pay attention to the changing road surface. If you see that the road is not splattered with salt or sand, be very careful as the packed snow will be much more slippery than fresh. Bridges and viaducts are test sections for drivers, it must be remembered that they usually freeze first and thaw last, so it is necessary to avoid abrupt maneuvers on them ”, says the expert.

A. Žiukelis adds that unnecessary travel should be avoided, especially to more remote places, houses or gardens, because road users will first take care of cleaning main streets, making more remote places much more dangerous. If the trip is still urgent, you need to inform your loved ones where you are going, take care of the right clothes, make sure your phone is charged.