Winter weather brings freezing temperatures, snow, and high winds to regions across the country. Zac Doerzaph, executive director of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), says that driving when both visibility and traction are impaired by the weather increases the risk of a crash by 70-80 percent.

Virginia Tech Transportation Institute researchers are able to test wintry driving conditions by simulating fog, rain, snow, and ice on the Virginia Smart Roads, a state-of-the-art, full-scale, closed test-bed research facility located in Blacksburg, Va. As drivers prepare for potentially hazardous driving conditions on the road this season, Doerzaph shares the following safety tips.

Safety Tips for Driving on Wintry Roads:

  • Consider if your trip can be rescheduled to avoid driving in adverse conditions, particularly during sever weather. If you must travel, be prepared for the possibility of becoming stranded by having appropriate clothing, blankets, and your cell phone to communicate with others.
  • Understand your vehicle’s capabilities and features and only drive the vehicle if it can handle the conditions. Tires are important - summer tires are not appropriate for snow or ice whereas winter tires are superior in cold temperatures and slick conditions. Many vehicles have all season tires, which are appropriate to use in light snow and ice but can vary considerably in capabilities.
  • Many vehicles have antilock braking, traction control, and stability control. These features can help you on slippery roads; however, it is wise to consult your owner’s manual and online resources on proper use. Understand how these features work so you are not surprised when they activate and so you can use them to their full potential.

Doerzaph says that when driving on slick roads steering and braking are much less effective because the traction available is low. Tires are not able to grip the road surface to exert much force, even if your vehicle has all-wheel drive (which only helps with accelerating but not braking or turning). He offers the following tips for drivers when traction is low.

  • Engage in the driving task. Focus on the road and don’t get distracted so you can react quickly when needed.  Look for signs of slippery surfaces (e.g., shiny black ice), listen to get a sense of the surface you are on, and feel when tire slip occurs.  Swiftly but smoothly adjust to your driving to eliminate slipping and remain in control.
  • Planning will help you. Brake gently and much farther in advance than you normally would to avoid skidding.  Keep an eye out for other road users.  Keep more space around you than normal, follow at longer distances, and ensure other vehicles are stopping before you proceed through intersections.
  • If you are going downhill, drive even slower and begin to slow down even farther in advance because gravity is working to literally pull you down the hill.
  • The same is true with making a turn. Brake gently well in advance of a turn and slow way down before you turn the wheel. If you wait too long and brake or steer in a turn at too high of a speed during bad weather, your vehicle will go straight, no matter what you do with the steering wheel.

Doerzaph also reminds you that visibility is a key factor when driving in inclement weather.  Low visibility means you will be closer to objects before you see them, and if you are traveling too fast you may not be able to stop. He adds:

  • Slow down, thinking about how far you can really see and how long it takes your vehicle to stop. This means going slower than you probably think is necessary.
  • Turn on your lights, typically on low beam. This helps you see a bit better, but it also makes you more conspicuous to other drivers.  Be aware, when precipitation is in the air at night, your headlights are less effective, and your visibility will be reduced.
  • Don’t become a target that others can’t see. If you are going slow or need to stop, turn on your emergency hazards to increase conspicuity for those traveling behind you. Consider moving over to the shoulder and off the travel lane if you can.

About Doerzaph

Zac Doerzaph is the executive director of VTTI, a global leader in transportation research, and president of VTT, LLC, a university-affiliated non-profit company. In these roles, Doerzaph cultivates VTTI’s strategic vision, talent, research infrastructure, and partnerships with the aim of creating a positive global impact on transportation. Known for innovative and extensive transportation research and leadership projects, he focuses on creating a future with ubiquitous, safe, and effective mobility by overseeing groundbreaking and impactful research today. More here.

Interview

To secure an interview, please contact Shannon Andrea in the media relations office at sandrea@vt.edu; 703-399-9494 or Eric Holbrook at eholbrook@vtti.vt.edu; 208-590-5298.

 

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