Learning how to drive in adverse weather conditions is a very important part of driver’s ed. At Kennedy Driving School, the academic instruction covers various techniques for driving in the snow and ice. A good defensive driver should know the following rules when driving in these dangerous road conditions.
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Drive slower and watch out for the other drivers
Reducing the vehicle speed should be the first priority when driving in any hazardous conditions such as rain, sleet, snow, poor visibility, etc. It’s important to “expect the unexpected” when you encounter other vehicles in adverse driving conditions. A lot of drivers don’t even realize they are driving in bad conditions until it’s too late.
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Increase following distance to at least 4 seconds or more
Using proper following distance can generate the time necessary to view and react safely to any hazardous situation ahead and avoid potential problems.
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Start braking gradually and early when approaching a stop sign or red light
You’re going to need extra time to stop when driving in hazardous road conditions. Start braking earlier than you normally would to give the vehicle extra time to slow down and avoid sliding.
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Look at least 12 seconds ahead
Looking ahead can help anticipate hazardous situations and give you the time to react appropriately, before it’s too late.
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Anticipate the unexpected – be prepared for the other drivers to make mistakes
As mentioned previously, it’s important to watch out for other drivers because they will probably make some mistakes in the adverse driving conditions.
All of these steps should be followed when driving in any adverse road conditions. In our classes we teach these defensive driving techniques in our driving schools located in Johnson County, Wichita, Topeka and Manhattan.