Rallyist Kenjiro Shinozuka provides guidance on ways to drive safely on snowy roads at the Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture, on Jan. 26. (Video by Kazuhiro Itami
YUZAWA, Niigata Prefecture--For those who dread driving on slippery snow-covered roads this winter season, a pro race car driver's tips on how to avoid accidents may be just the ticket.
Kenjiro Shinozuka, the first Japanese to win first place overall in the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1997, put student drivers through their paces on Jan. 26 at a Winter Driving School event at the Naeba Ski Resort here.
The veteran road racer still competes in races even at age 70.
The students performed an assortment of risky actions drivers are not supposed to do when behind the wheel on a snowy or icy road, making jack-rabbit starts, braking suddenly, and turning the steering wheel sharply, to get a hands-on understanding of how each move affected their safety.
“I realized the car continued traveling longer when braking and found it difficult to control the wheel,” said Midori Hayase, 25, from Gunma Prefecture, who joined the event. “It made me aware of how dangerous driving on snow-covered streets is.”
Shinozuka said, “By learning what actions under what situations are dangerous and correctly understanding one’s driving techniques, motorists can enjoy driving on snowy roads."
Takashi Anbo, head of the traffic division of East Nippon Expressway Co.’s Niigata office, which organized the program, said a total of 1,600 expressway accidents are reported annually of which the branch is in charge, with 60 percent of them occurring in the four-month period between December and March.
“The most important factor is braking,” he said. “The exits of tunnels are especially dangerous.”
Many drivers instinctively slam on the brakes when leaving tunnels that are clear of snow and spotting roads covered with snow or ice, resulting in them skidding and getting involved in traffic accidents, Anbo said.
“Continuing to travel at high speeds is better than suddenly reducing the velocity in safety terms,” Anbo said.
Shinozuka and East Nippon Expressway stressed the following points for safe driving under snowy conditions.
Drivers should brush off snow that has accumulated on their vehicles before driving as it could slide down onto the windshield and inhibit visibility. Snow falling off a vehicle may also endanger the cars behind it.
On snowy days, headlights should be switched on.
Sidelights should also be turned on to prevent rear-end collisions. In case of a heavy snowfall, combined use of hazard lamps is important.
Keep twice the distance between your car and the car ahead of you on snowy streets than on dry ones.
It is difficult to stop quickly on snow-covered roads. Engine braking is safer than pressing the brake pedals.
Be especially careful when driving on shiny roads coated with ice.
The wheel and brakes do not work properly in those conditions, so motorists should slow down by the time they reach such high-risk areas.
Hit the brakes in an emergency.
The latest automobiles are equipped with an anti-lock brake system so the wheels will not lock even when brakes are suddenly applied.
Because of that, drivers should keep applying the brakes in emergencies while manipulating the wheel to prevent accidents, although doing so will cause their feet to be violently shaken by the anti-lock braking system.
Don't drive in deep snow.
Drivers shouldn't try to plow through deep snow as the underside of their car is liable to get stuck in snow that is 15-centimeters deep.
Park cars with the front facing the street. That way, it can be easily pulled out or jump-started if the battery dies or it gets buried in snow.
Cars should not be parked close to walls, since snow readily piles high there.
Source: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201902160007.html
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