🔗 Chains or Snow Tires
- In mountain regions, follow chain control signs.
- “R2” means chains required on 2WD vehicles; AWD/4WD with snow tires may be exempt.
- Don’t attempt to bypass these requirements — risk of getting stuck or fined isn’t worth it.
🐢 Gentle Movements
- Make all actions smooth and slow: accelerating, braking, and steering.
- Increase following distance to 8–10 seconds or more.
🚗 Skids
- Rear-wheel skid: Ease off accelerator and steer gently in the direction of the skid (e.g., rear slides right → steer right).
- Front-wheel skid (plowing): Ease off gas or brake lightly to let tires regain grip — don’t oversteer.
⚠️ Black Ice
- Often appears as shiny wet-looking pavement with no spray from tires.
- Found on bridges, overpasses, shaded areas, especially early morning or late at night when temperatures hover around freezing.
- If conditions suggest it, slow down and make no abrupt moves.
🏔️ Hills
- Going downhill: Go slow, shift to a low gear, and brake gently to maintain control.
- Going uphill: Build momentum beforehand and avoid stopping mid-hill, which can cause loss of traction.
🧰 Emergency Gear
- For remote snowy travel, carry essentials:
- Blankets
- Water
- Shovel
- Flashlight
- Non-perishable snacks
- These can be life-saving if you become stranded.