Bad weather sometimes calls for special driving techniques

Las Vegas is not known for wet or wintry driving conditions. But some residents steal away for snow skiing, ice skating and snowboarding trips, which can mean encountering rain, snow and/or ice.

Centennial Hills resident Adrienne Toward hails from Pittsburgh, so she’s seen her fair share of winter driving. She had a Jeep Grand Cherokee with four-wheel drive.

“I used to travel an hour to and from work, and there were some treacherous areas, but I survived,” Toward said.

She said if she knew she was going to encounter snow, she’d bring something for traction, such as sandbags, stashing them in the trunk.

Lacie Sweet’s husband grew up in the East, where he dealt with snow a lot.

“He said it was slip and slide, and you have to go with the flow of the car,” Sweet said. “Don’t slam on the brakes.”

She said she’s an adventurous person but not when the snow gets high.

“If it was driveable, I could do it, but if it was dangerous, I’d want another person along,” she said.

If driving gets hazardous due to bad weather, AAA recommends accelerating and decelerating slowly to maintain traction and avoid skids.

Driving on dry pavement means allowing a three- to four-second gap when following another vehicle. For snow, that should be increased to eight to 10 seconds to provide a longer distance for stopping.

Cruise control should not be engaged on winter roads or in rain, according to the National Safety Commission. Cruise control may cause your car’s tires to hydroplane in rainy conditions, even at speeds as low as 35 mph.

The group also suggests avoiding powering up hills as the snow is more apt to make your wheels spin. At the crest, reduce your speed and proceed down the hill slowly.

If confronted with bad driving conditions, drivers should slow down, according to Allstate officials. If you have anti-lock brakes, do not pump the brakes as it is unnecessary.

Drivers also are advised to watch for black ice, which forms when the temperature is close to freezing. Look for ice build-up on your windshield, a clue that conditions could allow black ice to develop. Slow down when approaching shaded areas, such as bridges or overpasses, as these sections freeze ahead of others in cold weather.

Contact Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 702-387-2949.