Prudence is the mother of security. Météo-France places 30 departments on orange alert for snow and ice, this Saturday, January 4. Snowfall and freezing rain are forecast.
Obviously it is advisable to avoid taking the road in case of snow and ice, but sometimes it is impossible to postpone the trip. In this case, here are some recommendations.
• Drive carefully
It is essential to reduce speed and drive carefully. The objective: avoid sudden movements of the steering wheel and pedals to avoid causing a slip. It is also important to maintain greater safety distances to compensate for poor grip.
• Choose a suitable route
If you usually choose the fastest route, in this case it is recommended to choose an appropriate route avoiding slopes. In fact, steep descents or ascents can be especially dangerous in winter. It is preferable to favor main roads, which are often salted in anticipation of bad weather and will be the first to be plowed.
Bridges and snow-covered roads are areas particularly susceptible to icy conditions. It is crucial to remain alert in these areas where ice patches can appear unpredictably.
• Provide adequate equipment
Winter tires remain the safest option during snowy periods. Its special composition guarantees better grip in cold weather. All-season tires can also be an alternative, although their snow performance is worse. Especially because, although the snowfall will be “quite brief”, it could be “more persistent in the border departments of the Grand Est, with up to five centimeters falling on the ground”, reports Météo-France.
If you don’t have one, a pair of tire socks in the trunk may come in handy. In case of slipping, install them on the vehicle to start and reach a free axle. Then it will be necessary to take them off, socks are not made for riding on open roads.
Source: BFM TV
