When you ask Mark Cox, Director of the Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs, why anyone should invest in at least one day of on-snow instruction, his answer is simple: “If you want to be good at any sport, a coach is the one to get you there,” he begins. “It’s the same with winter driving, a coach will make you better than the average driver.”

Mark and his team of coaches have an endless playbook of tips to keep drivers safe when conditions get tough.

  1. Driving safely in the winter does not necessarily mean driving super slow. Too little speed can be just as dangerous as too much speed in winter conditions. If you can’t make it up a hill or keep up with traffic, you irritate other drivers and cause them to take unnecessary chances to get around you. If you slide through traffic lights, you are a risk to yourself and others. Remember, summer tires or worn tires have no place on ice or snow-covered roads. If your vehicle is not properly equipped for the conditions, be responsible and keep it off the road.
  2. Determine how much traction or grip is available. Make sure that no one is behind you and hit the brakes firmly until the wheels lock up. This will give you a clear indication of the grip available at that point in time. Over long journeys, keep testing conditions.
  3. In everyday driving situations, cars with both ABS (antilock brakes) and traditional braking systems are basically identical. In an emergency stopping situation, however, you must use two distinctly different techniques to stop your car. The beauty of ABS is that pressing the brake pedal as hard as possible and holding it there allows the computer to pump the brakes while still maintaining some steering effectiveness. Remember that ABS can’t perform miracle; if you feel ABS engaging during everyday driving, slow down, because you are exceeding the reasonable speed for the conditions. With non-ABS brakes, the cadence, or pumping technique, is most effective in an emergency, but you must lift off the brake if steering is required to avoid an obstacle.
  4. When roads are slippery, use all of the grip (traction) available for one action at a time. Brake only in a straight line prior to the curve when the car is traveling straight. Taking your foot off the brake before you steer into the curve allows you to use all of the available grip for steering. Accelerate only when you are able to straighten the steering wheel at the exit of the turn. This safety technique will allow you to be 100% effective at each maneuver – braking, steering and acceleration. This is especially important if you wish to drive safely in the snow!

For more tips and information on available classes go to www.winterdrive.com