What to do if you get stuck in snow or slide around on ice while driving?

Question:
I am a new driver and I live in Saskatchewan. It is very icy and very snowy here and I have not yet driven in this weather condition. What should I do if I get stuck in snow and what should I do when I start sliding on the ice and cannot control the car ? I have gotten 4 other peoples opinions.. now i would like yours?

Answers:

How dangerous is hitch-hiking?

Always carry a big bag of kitty litter in the trunk of your car in winter, so you can use it for traction, and a couple of pieces of 2x4 boards, large enough to stick under your tires wouldn't hurt either. Also, carry a shovel, an extra pair of warm gloves, and if you can afford to buy them, put winter tires on your car.
As far as ice goes, a lot depends on your car. If you have 4WD it can help a bit, but it is no guarantee you can negotiate an icy hill (hence, kitty litter helps too). If you have an anti-lock braking system, do not pump your brakes. Never slam on your brakes, but apply gentle pressure. Never turn the wheel awya from the direction the car is spinning in. Release your grip a little bit onthe wheel when you start to feel yourself going into a spin, but do not drop the wheel. Once you start to get control back, you want the wheel right there in your hands.
No matter what I tell you, you still might panic and do something stupid the first time, like ducking your head down and slamming on the brakes. What might help is if you can go to an empty icy parking lot somewhere and practice driving on ice and controlling spins, somewhere you can't run into anything. Then you might get enough skill and confidence to handle it correctly when you are faced with a real ice driving situation.
Here are some Websites with ice driving tips:

When can you drive other people?

go slow and carry atow chain

Left Turn in an Intersection - Tell me WHY?!?

if its too bad to drive, then dont do it. There is nothing you can do on ice so just be aware.

How to improve your mirror reflex's while driving?

Best advise I can give you REMEMBER ICE IS SLICK slow down and brake well in advance of stops and start slowly.
Steer in direction of skid with your foot off the brake.
If you do not have to go stay home.

Why do people run and ride bikes on the side of the road when there is a sidewalk?

Drive slow in adverse conditions. Equip your car with studded snow tires on all four wheels. If you don't have ABS, pump your brakes if you start to lose control. Steer gently in the direction you want the car to go.
Carry a small bag of sand in the trunk(put the bag of sand in a heavy garbage bag so it won't spill in your trunk). Sprinkle it on the ground under your tires. Don't use kitty litter or speedi-dri, they turn to slick mud in the snow(they contain clay).
Try braking in a safe place to get the feel of stopping in snow or ice. Don't panic, even the most experienced drivers have last control at one time or another.
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