driving in snow and ice

Driving can be dangerous; however, if you follow certain rules, take precautions, and always be careful, you can make something that is dangerous into something that can get you places faster. As every driver knows, the weather can suddenly change with no warning as you are driving, and you have to be aware and ready to take the precautions needed to be safe and to be careful while driving in these weather conditions. Some of these conditions include ice, snow, rain, wind, darkness, fog, etc.
In my opinion, one of the most dangerous weather conditions to drive in is snow because the snow can act as fog as it is falling, and limit the driver’s field of vision. Also, in the wintertime there can be many ice storms as well as snowstorms. This can also make it hard for the driver to concentrate on the road because the driver has to concentrate on the road, but is being distracted by the ice pelting at their windshield. Besides ice, snow can fill the road making it hard for the tires to get any traction. In the winter season, the sun goes down earlier than it does in the summer season, so not only do you have to deal with the snow, you now also have to deal with the darkness. Driving in the snow can make it easy for your car to lose control and to skid. If this happens you have to turn the wheel in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are skidding left, steer left. Also, when you drive in the snow or while it is snowing, make sure to go slower than the actual speed limit. The speed limit is there to make sure everyone is going at the same speed, but in the snow, going the speed limit can be dangerous due to loose patches of snow that can cause your car to skid.
Another dangerous road condition to is ice. Ice occurs in the wintertime, when the temperature drops drastically. Ice can come from puddles of water that is frozen solid by the temperature, or by snow on the ground that gets compacted together to form a slippery surface. The most dangerous kind of ice is black ice. Black ice is ice frozen without many air bubbles trapped inside, making it almost transparent and invisible. It appears as the color of the material underneath it, making it look like it isn’t there at all. Because black ice can be anywhere, drivers should always drive slowly and carefully in winter conditions and be aware of their surroundings. Also, when you are driving on the highway or expressway, be careful of the bridges. Bridges freeze well before roads and highways do because of the way they are positioned. Bridges are often built high above the rest of traffic, making it easy for the winter wind to hit the bridge above, below, and both sides, which causes the bridge to lose heat rapidly. Also, bridges have no way to trap heat because they are so high up, and will start and continue to lose heat and freeze shortly after the temperatures hit the freezing point.
In conclusion, many different and dangerous road conditions can happen when you are on the road; snow and ice being the most dangerous in most opinions. Just taking a couple extra precautions can prevent many drivers from getting into accidents, whether it is a small or a large accident. Drivers should always be prepared for the worst when they are on the road, therefore they should always be careful and alert no matter the weather conditions.