Dalvin Brown, Michael Doyle and Jessica Presinzano, USA TODAY
Whether it’s this week’s polar vortex that’s bringing record-smashing cold to much of the nation, or any other apocalyptic-sounding winter weather phenomenon, motorists in the path of freezing temperatures face many driving hazards.
Dealing with thickened fluids and frozen doors, along with black ice that can stop wheels from getting a good grip, even the most advanced drivers may find themselves wishing they had stayed home.
To make matters worse, shorter winter days and longer nights mean that travels, and rescues, are likely to occur under less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
Still, experts say the biggest danger facing motorists is the tendency to drive too aggressively.
“Most bad weather accidents are caused by driver overconfidence,” says Tony Molla, vice president of the Automotive Service Association and an ASE certified automotive technician. “Traffic control and stability controls can give you a false sense of security, but even they cannot overcome the laws of physics.”
Molla says that while most modern vehicles will help you correct if your car starts to slide on snow or ice, if you’re traveling too quickly, “then nature is going to take over and all the electronics in the world can’t help you at that point.”
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