It’s difficult enough to drive in snowy conditions when the road is perfectly flat. But if you find yourself tackling a hill, you’ll soon realize that you’re facing even more challenges.
While no two vehicles and hills are identical, there are some basic tips you can follow to maintain a high level of safety. Here’s what you need to do:
- Keep your momentum: It’s not always possible, but you want to keep a steady speed from the bottom of the hill to the top. Depending on the conditions, stopping can make it impossible to start again.
- Slow down: It’s tempting, but don’t attempt to hit the bottom of the hill at a high rate of speed to help carry you to the top. Slow and steady is the best approach on a snowy hill, especially when driving in close proximity to other vehicles.
- Assess the road ahead: Since you’re not likely to be the only one on the road, the snow on the hill will be disturbed. Remember, tire grooves made by other vehicles are almost always slippery, making traction more difficult.
While you’re following these tips, you also need to watch for potential mistakes by other drivers. For example, someone driving down the hill in the other lane may lose control, thus causing a head-on collision.
A motor vehicle accident during the winter months is often more challenging than one during the warm months, as you’re also contending with inclement weather such as snow and freezing temperatures.
Your safety and health is top priority, but as time allows, contact your insurance company to file a claim.