This time last year I was driving to work one morning when I skidded on a patch of ice. I was driving down a duel carriageway at 50mph (well under the speed limit) about ¼ of a mile away from a major motorway. As I came round a slight bend the car started to shake and that's the last thing I remember before I woke up in hospital. My car bounced of the central reservation rolled over a few times before ending up on its roof on the verge. I was lucky, I was driving a fairly new car with more airbags than I knew I had, a few broken bones later I was back on my feet and vowed to have a little bit more respect for harsher driving conditions. It was a major road, which at any other time would have been gritted and my taking that fact for granted almost cost me my life.



However, there are a few simple bits of information, which despite being common sense I neglected to take into consideration. A lot of modern cars will have a warning light, which notifies the driver when it is below 3 degrees. You don't really need this light to tell you when it's cold and possibly freezing. If you are driving in potentially icy conditions (which in this country could be at least a third of the year), careful driving is essential.

We all know the basic information which is common sense, if the car starts to spin; you have to steer into the skid and if the car does start to spin, never break or make any sudden movements. With careful driving and common sense, you should be able to avoid skidding on ice in the first place.

If the tires suddenly go very quiet there is a good chance you could be driving on black ice, this is almost invisible to the eye and often occurs on windy roads where the sun cannot reach. Very slowly take your foot off the accelerator and do not be tempted to slam your breaks on. If you are fortunate enough to have ABS (anti lock breaking system) this should help prevent your wheels locking. In icy conditions, it can take up to tens times longer to stop. You may be in a rush to get to your destination, but ask yourself if it's worth a detour via A&E. If you get behind someone who does seem a little nervous, shouting abuse and driving in their boot will not help. On the other hand, if you're the one with someone trying to climb into your back seat, you might feel more comfortable pulling over if and when it's safe. When it is icy, try and plan your journey with a little more time than you normally would, just because you think you're the best driver since sliced bread, the person in front of you may not be so confident and trying to over take on a icy bendy road could prove fatal.

Its not just heavy breaking which can cause your car to spin. If you accelerate too hard in icy conditions you are just as likely to spin your wheels too. Heavy breaking and heavy accelerating can also increase your fuel consumption so try and keep your revs as low as possible and your actions as clam as possible too.

Always keep an emergency kit in your car, if your car decides its going to break down at night when it's below freezing there are a few things you are going to need. A blanket, touch, hazard triangle, non-perishable snacks and an in car mobile phone charger. Even if you don't normally carry a mobile phone, consider investing in a cheap pay as you go, just to keep in your car with the number for your breakdown service as well as a few other essential numbers. If you find yourself stranded on a dark country road, walking to the nearest house or shop may not be practical or safe.

When driving in icy conditions just remember that prevention is better than cure, take your time, be safe and sensible and if the worst should happen, make sure you're prepared.

Copyright (c) 2008 Kimberlie Hutson