Michigan State Police Give Drivers Crucial Tips For Driving On Ice, Rain

Michigan winters have their pros and cons. As pretty as a light dusting of snow looks, as fun as it is to go sledding, and as fantastic as a snow day is, the cold can be awful to deal with each morning. Bundling up in three jackets, sixteen pairs of socks, and a scarf that goes to my toes just to stay warm stinks.

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But the real winter pain is ice. Scraping it off your car in the morning is so inconvenient, and driving on icy roads is a harrowing endeavour. Once you feel your car sliding, it feels like there's nothing you can do stop yourself from crashing into another car or going into the intersection.

It's this danger that the Michigan State Police is trying to avoid by releasing a video with winter-driving tips, specifically how to correct your car when it's skidding. 

How To Correct Your Car When It Is Skidding On Ice

When I was in driver's training, I took a skid course during the winter, and the following advice has saved me more times than I can count. As this Michigan State Police (MSP) officer explains in this instructional video, regaining control of your car while it is skidding can be frightening, but there is a sound strategy for doing so.

According to the MSP, if you begin to skid on ice or wet roads:

1. Reduce your speed without using your brakes.
   1. Instinct tells you that if you want to slow down, you hit the brakes. However, braking on a slippery surface actually does the opposite and can cause your wheels to lock up and you to skid. Taking your foot off the gas is encouraged.
2. If you begin to skid, look and steer in the direction you want to go. Steer using a hand-over-hand maneuver to avoid turning the wheels too much and causing the car to lose control.
3. Anticipate a secondary skid.
   1. Overcorrecting is also common, so even after you regain control of the car, you should anticipate a potential "second skid" as the car corrects itself.

Plenty of people complain about other Michigan drivers during winter, but ultimately, it's important to control what happens to your vehicle in uncertain weather conditions. Drive safely, and give yourself enough distance between other vehicles in case you find yourself in a precarious situation.