It’s winter again on Long Island, which means many cold days ahead with sporadic snow storms and ice that can linger on the roads for days at a time. This can lead to some hazardous driving conditions that are sometimes hard to notice at first.
One of the biggest dangers is black ice, which can be difficult to see and quickly put you and those around you in jeopardy. Even if you avoid an accident, the sudden jerking motions, as a result, could cause back problems for the foreseeable future. In fact, more than 135,000 Americans suffer injuries related to icy roads every year.
Avoiding icy hazards on the road is a must every winter on Long Island. So, what are some winter driving tips to help keep you and those around you safe?
How Do You Drive on Icy Roads?
The best advice regarding driving on icy roads is to not drive on them. While that may sound intuitive, many of us can find ourselves hitting the road impulsively for things we don’t necessarily need at that very moment. If there’s a winter storm or lingering ice on the road, and you don’t have to run any essential errands and can work from home, try to use that option when available.
If you can’t avoid driving on icy roads, always drive slower than you would if you were driving during fair weather conditions. You should avoid driving any faster than 45 mph. If you are driving close to that and feel you’re losing control of your car, go even slower. And if there’s black ice on the road, you should keep it under 10 mph.
Should You Tap Brakes on Ice?
Tapping on the brakes while driving on ice is how you want to go about stopping your car if you’re tapping on the brakes gently. For many people, the instinct is to slam on the brakes. However, that is more likely to cause your wheels to lock up and cause your vehicle to continue at the same speed while being even harder to control.
If you do end up sliding or skidding, you should turn into the slide or skid. Sliding on the ice means you’re going too fast, so you should be reducing your speed which will require you to tap on the brakes as well. These situations can be stressful, if not dangerous, but it’s important to try to keep a clear head to help you and those around you avoid injury.
Chiropractic Care Can Help Alleviate Tension & Pain in Your Back
As careful as we may be this winter, sometimes accidents are just unavoidable. Whether it’s a minor fender bender or briefly losing your balance on a patch of ice on the sidewalk; injuries and even whiplash can seem minor at the moment but can lead to months or years of pain and discomfort. For more than 35 years, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C. has provided a wide range of chiropractic services to fit your needs. We can work with you on pain management and restoring the range of motion in your neck and back through massage, stretching exercises, spinal adjustments, the Graston Technique, and more. Take the first step toward a more comfortable life by scheduling your appointment online or calling us at (516) 679-2225.