Driving on ice can be difficult in Minnesota. Many people lose control of their vehicles and cause accidents that never would have happened during the summer months. It is important to know how to drive safely, as you cannot always avoid driving during the winter.
But how do you do so? Here are a few key tips to keep in mind:
1. Maintain a longer following distance
Instead of a normal following distance of three seconds, it may be better to leave five or six seconds between vehicles. This gives you more space to stop slowly, rather than having to slam on the brakes and risk losing control.
2. Do everything slowly
One of the most important things is to be slow and deliberate with everything you do. You should accelerate gradually and drive below the speed limit in icy road conditions. Driving too quickly greatly increases the chances that you will lose control, especially when entering a turn or corner.
3. Be wary while on hills
Driving on hills in icy conditions can be very dangerous. You should try to drive up slowly, without aggressively pressing the gas pedal, which can cause the tires to spin and lose traction. At the same time, you should avoid stopping on a hill, as it can be difficult to start moving again and you may slide backward.
Compensation after an accident
These tips can help you stay safe this winter, but you could still suffer injuries in an accident caused by another driver. If that happens, be sure you know how to seek compensation for medical bills and other costs.