Winter weather presents serious hazards for drivers. Auto technology has made significant strides in enabling drivers to be safe on the road, including all-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, traction control, and snow tires.
However, none of these advancements can be relied upon to completely eliminate the risk of having a car accident on icy roads. No matter how cars are equipped, there is no vehicle that can safely drive over 45mph when there is ice on a roadway.
Most car accidents that occur in winter weather happen when drivers are traveling above 45mph. Many of the vehicles involved have safety features designed to minimize collision risk, but advertisements for these features may exaggerate how effective the safety features are at preventing car accidents caused by icy road conditions. While these mechanisms can help, once higher speeds are introduced, it is much harder to keep the vehicle under control.
High Speeds Reduce Traction, Resulting in Car Accidents
Snow, sleet, or freezing rain can act as a lubricant on the road, making it harder for tires to grip the road surface. Anyone traveling at or above 45mph in these type of conditions is at a greater risk of being involved in a car accident caused by speeding. When traveling too fast in icy conditions, losing control or any small trigger such as a strong gust of wind or a sudden tap of the brakes can result in fishtailing, spinning, over or under steering, or leaving the roadway. It is very challenging to regain control once this happens, and car accidents at this speed can have a higher force of impact, which can result in devastating or fatal car accident injuries.
While driving on icy roads is never completely safe, traveling under 45mph seriously reduces the risk of a car accident. It is much easier to regain control when traveling at a slower speed, and if an accident occurs, it is less likely to cause serious injury. Even with numerous safety features, it is ultimately up to the driver to use their judgment and engage in safe driving behaviors when winter weather conditions are present.
