By mid-November, winter is already approaching and Spain is experiencing a general drop in temperatures, which on many occasions causess is accompanied by thunderstorms, rain and strong winds. Furthermore, it is common to note in weather forecasts that certain points of the national territory experience episodes of snowfall and storms.
When we take a trip by car or motorbike it is necessary to take into account certain aspects that help us drive more safely. Therefore, the DGT and entities such as Royal Automobile Club of Spain (RACE) or the Royal Automobile Club Vasco Navarrospecialized in road safety, formulates a series of recommendations to be taken into account.
If the road is bright, there may be patches
During the night and until dawn, the coldest hours of the day occur, which, combined with humidity or roadside vegetation, can cause patches of black ice or frost. Particular attention must therefore be paid tos shaded areas, areas under bridges and depressions in the asphalt, since these are the areas where you can find the greatest probability of ice. Ernesto Nava, director of the RACE driving school, reminds us that we have a clear idea when the asphalt is shiny. In this case we must pass very slowly because it will surely be a layer of ice and we will lose traction in the wheels.
Maximum smoothness while driving
This is the main rule. You must leave aside the rush and drive calmly, avoid sudden movements of the steering wheel which could cause the vehicle to lose its normal steering. Also, do not apply sudden acceleration or braking, as you will only experience greater slippage and, therefore, lose control of the car. To ride on ice, it’s better shift to a higher gear and without exceeding 2,500 rpm. Otherwise, the wheels will slip on the slippery surface.
Much more safety distance
According to RACE, it is essential increase the safety distance from the vehicle in front of us, Indeed, when driving on ice, the distance traveled by a vehicle between the moment the driver presses the brake and the car coming to a complete stop increases enormously. As an indication, the total stopping distance (reaction plus braking) is 57 meters when driving on a sunny day and at 90 km/h, a figure that rises to 89 meters when the road is wet. If there are ice caps, this can be multiplied by 10. In addition, The DGT advises not to exceed 20% of the adhesion limit speed to avoid leaving the road.
What to do if you lose control of the vehicle?
Even though today’s cars have a multitude of technological resources that significantly reduce risks, it is possible that we end up with two phenomena that prevent control of the car: understeer and oversteer. This is how the RACVN explains these circumstances.
What is understeer and how to avoid it?
Understeer occurs when the car, when cornering, turns less than the driver wants and/or transmits to the vehicle via the steering wheel. This situation causes wheel spin and loss of front axle control. In this case, we unconsciously brake suddenly and turn the steering wheel even more, which is exactly what we should not do. The most practical is Lift your foot off the accelerator and apply moderate pressure to the brake pedal without locking the wheels.
What is oversteer and how to avoid it?
Oversteer occurs when we lose control of the rear axle and it slips. In this case we must also take our foot off the brake and accelerator and turn the steering wheel in the same direction that the rear axle is movingwhich is usually the direction opposite the curve of the road we are driving on. Additionally, they add that if we were unable to regain control and it was heading towards an obstacle, we should press the brake pedal to try to minimize the trajectory speed and the force thereof.
About The Author
