It’s important to understand how to drive on icy roads so you can keep yourself and other road users safe. In Ireland, we can experience cold spells and icy conditions throughout the winter months, so it’s essential to be prepared and have some tips in mind to help you drive safely in these icy conditions.
We’ve put together this guide on how to drive on icy roads to help you have more confidence while driving in these tough icy conditions.
Beware of Black Ice
Firstly, we’re going to touch on black ice as it can be one of the most dangerous hazards when driving on icy roads. Black ice is a transparent sheet of ice that can cover sections of the road, particularly areas that are shaded or sheltered.
It’s important to be mindful of black ice when driving in icy conditions because it can be extremely difficult for a driver to see it. Black ice can appear glossy on the road and it can sometimes look like a harmless puddle.
One key tip is that, when driving in bad icy conditions, you should treat all roads as if they have black ice on them and drive with extra caution.
Regularly check your tyres
Before driving in wintery and icy conditions, you should check your tyres to ensure that there’s a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, or ideally, the recommended tread depth of 3.0mm. Having adequate tread depth in your tyres allows them to grip the road and prevent your wheels from spinning or sliding. If your tyres are below the minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, it’s important to replace them, especially in advance of the winter months.
It’s also important to ensure that your tyres are always inflated to the required pressure levels. Under or over-inflated tyres could lead to issues or an accident when driving on icy roads.
De-ice your car
When your car is icy, you should clear it thoroughly so that you have good visibility levels when driving. You should always de-ice your car and de-mist your windscreen and windows to ensure that you can see properly before starting your journey.
It’s important to keep in mind that if your windscreen or windows aren’t fully clear and de-misted, you could miss potential hazards on the road and cause an accident.
Also, be sure to never pour boiling or very hot water on your windscreen to remove ice, as this could weaken or crack the glass.
Plan your journey - stick to the main roads
Main roads like motorways, national roads and regional roads are the best to stick to when driving in icy conditions as they are more likely to be gritted and they will also be well-lit.
Where possible, try to avoid local roads as they are oftentimes narrower and more shaded by trees etc. and therefore, ice can linger on those roads for longer.
So, before you leave, you should think about your journey and plan which roads you are going to take while driving in icy conditions.
Drive slowly and cautiously
Driving slowly and cautiously when the road is icy is extremely important to ensure you stay in control of your car and don’t skid.
You should avoid braking harshly or accelerating too quickly as this can cause your wheels to spin and you could skid. It’s also necessary to leave a bigger braking distance between you and other cars on the road to ensure that you have sufficient braking time and space to bring your car to a complete stop, safely.
As driving slowly is imperative to driving in icy conditions, it’s important to allow extra time for your journey so that you’re not rushing. Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination so you can take as much care on the road as is needed.
Use your lights!
Remember to always turn on your dipped headlights when driving in icy or bad weather conditions so other drivers on the road will see you.
Make sure to clear any ice or snow from your lights when you’re de-icing your car so the lights are clear and bright.
Controlling your car if it skids
Cars can skid when the road is slippy or icy, particularly if there’s black ice on the road that a driver may not see. If your car ever skids, the most important thing to remember is that you shouldn’t touch the brakes. Braking can make the skidding even worse because it stops the wheels from moving and stops them from finding a grip on the road to help you stop sliding.
Instead of touching the brakes, you should take your feet off the pedals and slowly turn your steering wheel in the direction that your car is skidding, i.e. the direction that the rear of your car is turning in. You will start to feel your car straightening out and when you feel this happening you should then start to straighten your steering wheel.
One thing to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t turn your steering wheel too sharply as your car may begin to skid in the opposite direction. However, if this does happen, you mustn't panic, the same principle as above applies - slowly turn your steering wheel in the direction your car is skidding until you feel your car straightening out.
Are you covered by car insurance to drive in icy conditions?
Yes, in general, car insurance policies will cover you to drive in all kinds of weather conditions. If you are insured with AXA you can check our policy booklets here. However, it’s important to remember that it is dangerous to drive in icy conditions and it could lead to an accident. So, you should always exercise caution when deciding whether it’s necessary for you to drive when the roads are icy, or if it’s safer to stay where you are.
Need car insurance?
Do you need a car insurance policy to protect yourself and your car? If so, you’re in the right place! At AXA, we offer car insurance, young driver insurance and car insurance for women.
To get a quote for car insurance with AXA, simply fill in our online quote form or call us at 0818 736 524.
