How to Drive on Icy Roads It doesn't take a lot of water on a roadway for ice to form. Beware of black (nearly invisible) ice, especially on shady roads or on underpasses and overpasses. Here are some guidelines for driving in slippery conditions: 1. Slow down, especially before curves or intersections. You'll get better traction and control at slower speeds. 2. Maintain more distance between you and the car ahead of you. 3. Avoid sudden movements, such as abrupt lane changes, stops or turns. 4. If you are driving a car with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), avoid "pumping" the brakes to stop. Keep constant pressure on the brake pedal. 5. If you enter a skid, DON'T PANIC. Take your foot off the gas or the brake; steer in the direction you want the car to go. 6. If possible, put the car in neutral (automatic transmission) or de-clutch (manual). 7. Never brake on ice (brake BEFORE you get to an icy patch). 8. Maintain your tires properly. Make sure the treads are not too worn and that tire pressure is not too low. 9. Of course, buckle up at all times.

Anatomy of an Accident
Inside a Real Crash

By Susan Brody

Nobody plans for an accident. Hear how one young driver thought she had done everything right—and still totaled her car. Also, learn how to avoid accidents in bad weather.

Casey had her provisional license for five months and everything had been great for the 17-year-old New Jersey native. (That's redundant—what could be bad once you have your license, right?) But as the saying goes, you never know what's coming around the bend.

Weather Worries
It was December and the forecast called for snow. But the weatherman was wrong—again—and instead of a snow day, not one flake was on the ground in the morning. In anticipation of the snow, Casey's mom had instructed her to drive the family's heavier, sturdier SUV to school. But the roads were clear, so Casey drove the car she was more comfortable with—a hand-me-down with 4-wheel drive.

Small Detour
Instead of driving straight to school, Casey went in the opposite direction to pick up a friend (if you must know, her ex; how's that for a kind ex-girlfriend?). But while she took a detour, she wasn't skimping on safety. "Even though there was no snow, I put the car in a lower gear and was driving very, very slowly down my curvy street," she said. "But as I was coming around a bend to the right, the car just started shifting to the left. I had no control over it."

Trying to Stay Calm
Casey's mind raced—she remembered hearing that you shouldn't turn your wheel the opposite way, so she opted to let the car slide. She figured she was going so slowly, nothing too bad would happen. But as the car kept sliding closer to the curb, she panicked and slammed on the brakes. Bad choice. (See sidebar for tips for driving in icy conditions.)

The car picked up speed, hit the curb and kept on sliding. Now it was perpendicular to the street—luckily, no cars were coming up the hill—and headed straight for a telephone poll. Casey braced herself for the impact.

Impact
The car hit the pole and came to a stop. The airbags stayed put and so did Casey, until she heard a loud noise coming from under the hood. She turned off the car, unbuckled her seatbelt and jumped out—thankfully, she wasn't injured. She was shocked to see the pole was halfway up into the hood.

While nothing "too bad" happened, Casey still had some explaining to do. First of all there were the "I told you so's" from her mom for not having taken the SUV as directed. Next came the part about driving out of her way to pick up the ex (that really ticked them off). And finally, there was the fact that her parent's insurance company considered the car totaled (the cost to repair the damage, which included a broken axel, was more than the worth of the car). Ouch.

What Went Wrong?
So, what was to blame for Casey's accident? Black ice. Black ice is practically invisible to the eye and for that reason, extremely dangerous. While a more experienced driver may have been able to avoid hitting the pole (see sidebar), the situation is tricky for any driver.

Always Listen to Mom
But Casey did learn a few lessons, which she's happy to pass on. "First of all, you can never be too careful, especially as a new driver. Second, always listen to your mother."

While her mother was indeed angry (but altogether relieved) she insisted that Casey get right behind the wheel the next day. And during the next snowstorm, she also forced Casey to get out on the road. It was a smart move, in no small part because Casey gained much-needed confidence in her driving. And since Mother Knows Best, Casey now drives her mom's old SUV, which she doesn't love, but does feel safe in.