Safe Wintertime Driving in Colorado

Winter Drivingon snowy and icy Colorado roads

For most Colorado residents,winter driving on slick, icy roads

is a necessary evil.

Stay safe with theseHELPFUL TIPS!

IF YOUR REAR WHEELS ARE SLIDING:

If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.

If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), don’t pump thebrakes. Apply steady pressure. You will feel thebrakes pulse — this is normal.

Take your foot off the accelerator.

Steer in the direction you wantthe front wheels to go. If yourrear wheels are sliding left,steer left. If they’re slidingright, steer right.

If your rear wheels start slidingthe other way as you recover,ease the steering wheel towardthat side. You might have tosteer left and right a few timesto get your vehicle completelyunder control.

IF YOUR FRONT TIRES ARE SLIDING

Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral,but don’t try to steer immediately.

As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle andtraction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you

want to go. Put the transmission in “drive” or release theclutch, and accelerate gently.

IF YOU GET

STUCKDon't spin your wheels. This willonly dig you in deeper.

Turn your wheels from side to side a fewtimes to push snow out of the way.

Use a light touch on the gas, and slowlyease your car out.

STILL STUCK?Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and theunderside of the car.

Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels,to help get traction.

Try rocking your vehicle.(Check your owner’s manualfirst — it can damage thetransmission on somevehicles.) Shift from forward toreverse, and back again. Eachtime you’re in gear, give a lighttouch on the gas until thevehicle gets going.

INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT?Call McDivitt Law Firm toll free at 866-241-6143or click here to fill out a free case evaluation form.Your initial consultation is absolutely free and youdo not owe us a fee until we collect money for you.

Sources: The Weather Channel,National Safety Council, New YorkState Department of Motor Vehicles,Washington State GovernmentInformation & Services