Few driving experiences are more frightening than losing control of your vehicle after hitting a patch of ice. Serious snowstorms or other extreme weather events will create sheets of frozen water called “black ice” on road surfaces, which are very slippery and hard to detect. Fortunately, you can maintain control of the situation with these winter preparation and driving tips from First Choice Insurance, Fairfield’s leading provider of cheap car insurance and high-risk insurance policies.

• Be on the lookout for black ice. It will generally appear as a darker, duller spot on the pavement.
• Never use cruise control in icy conditions.
• Be especially careful driving over overpasses and bridges, which typically freeze before the rest of the road and stay frozen longer. Even if the road itself is clear, bridges and overpasses may still be covered in ice.
• Take corners slower than usual, even if you feel you are being overly cautious. Leave plenty of stopping room between you and other cars, about three times more than you normally would.
• If you do start to skid, stepping on the brake can make the situation worse. Let the car coast through the skid and steer into it gently, without whipping the wheel around.
• Always keep a stock of supplies in case you are stranded in the snow. You’ll need an ice scraper, cat littler, blankets, flashlight and batteries, a shovel, and road flares or hazard triangles.

First Choice Insurance wants everyone to remain safe this winter. Visit them online or call (513) 860-0666 to learn more about their policies for high-risk drivers or to get a free auto insurance quote.