District of Columbia driving lesson · Weather & Emergency Situations
Winter driving & skids
A 4-minute lesson from the District of Columbia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
There is no "completely safe" speed on ice and snow. Every block can be different depending on sun, shade and salting. Traction aids help, but slowing down is the only real protection.
Know the rule
Chains do the most to improve traction and stopping on ice and snow. But neither chains nor radial or snow tires make normal speeds safe on ice or snow-covered roads; you must slow down.
Ramps and bridges freeze first, before highways and roads. Plowed roads may refreeze at night or have icy patches. Four-wheel drive vehicles slide on ice and snow too.
If you skid with anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes; keep steady pressure. Without ABS, pump the brake pedal; don't brake strongly and lock the wheels.
Skid recovery: don't panic and don't brake. Take your foot off the gas and immediately steer in the direction of the skid: if your rear wheels go right, turn your front wheels right.
Your rear end slides to the left on an icy turn. Don't brake. Lift off the gas and steer the front wheels left, the same way the rear is sliding, until the car straightens out.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Which tire aid does the most to improve traction and stopping on ice and snow, per the handbook?
Snow tires
Radial tires
Four-wheel drive
Chains
Answer: Chains
Chains do the most to improve traction and stopping ability on ice and in snow, though you must still slow down.