How should you handle driving in icy conditions?

Driving in icy conditions requires careful adjustments to both speed and following distance to ensure safety. Reducing speed is crucial because icy roads can significantly reduce tire traction, increasing the likelihood of losing control. When you drive at a slower speed, you give yourself more time to react to any potential hazards or changes in road conditions.

Increasing the following distance is equally important because it provides a larger buffer zone to react if the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops or encounters trouble on the road. On icy surfaces, stopping distances can be dramatically longer, so it is essential to have extra space to prevent collision.

Navigating icy roads safely means adjusting your typical driving behavior to account for the slipperiness of the surface and the increased potential for accidents. In such conditions, other methods like maintaining normal speed limits or using cruise control could lead to loss of vehicle control, while driving faster would exacerbate the problem by reducing your ability to respond to dangerous situations effectively.