Remember This 20-Second Rule When Driving on Icy Roads

Drivers have been warned against hitting the brakes on icy roads as temperatures drop across the UK. Experts have told motorists what to do when driving in icy weather as conditions worsen. 

Almost a quarter of UK motorists have been involved in an accident when travelling in severe winter weather.

It takes a vehicle ten times longer to stop on icy roads, which means the stopping distance could be almost half a mile if travelling at 70mph. Drivers must keep at least 20 seconds behind the car in front.

Transparent black ice poses an extreme risk to drivers as it is nearly invisible and catches motorists off guard, preventing proper tyre grip and hindering brake effectiveness.

An increased follow distance and avoiding sudden braking are essential advice to follow during icy conditions.

Tim Alcock from LeaseCar.uk said: “Drivers are highly vulnerable when the roads are icy, so they must take extra precautions to stay safe.

“Ice is one of the most significant hazards when the temperatures drop, and even the smallest amount on the road can be hazardous for motorists and pedestrians.

“Although it goes against basic instincts, braking is one of the worst things drivers can do, and it won’t stop a vehicle from moving on icy roads.

“Important advice to follow in icy conditions includes keeping a 20-second gap from the vehicle in front and pre-checking tyre grip.

Five Tips for Driving Safely in Iicy Conditions: 

1. Maintain Control

Drive slowly and in a higher gear to retain as much Control of the car as possible. It is also important not to brake or accelerate too quickly, avoiding overtaking needlessly or turning sharply around corners where a loss of Control is more likely to occur.

2. Check Grip

By law, the minimum tyre tread depth in the UK is 1.6 mm, but for optimum grip, it is advised not to go below 4 mm in winter conditions. Drivers can also check grip by choosing a safe place to brake gently, and if the steering feels unresponsive, it could indicate something is wrong.

3. 20-Second Rule

A vital winter tip to remember when it’s icy is to travel at a longer distance from the car in front. The usual two-second Rule should be multiplied by ten because braking could take up to half a mile to stop.

4. Foot off the Brake

Braking a vehicle can send it into a skid or lock the wheels when travelling on ice. Instead, motorists should move into a lower gear to slow down.

5. Steering

If a vehicle starts to skid on ice, slowly turn the wheel toward the slide while removing the foot from the accelerator. If skidding to the right, turn to the right, and if skidding to the left, turn to the left. Once the car starts to level out, gently straighten the wheel.

To learn more about how to drive safely on ice, head to https://leasecar.uk/blog/how-to-drive-safely-in-winter-conditions/.