The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves yourvehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on aslippery road. Even though you have ABS, beginstopping sooner than you would on dry pavement.See Antilock Brake System (ABS) on page 5-5.• Allow greater following distance on anyslippery road.• Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fineuntil you hit a spot that is covered with ice.On an otherwise clear road, ice patches can appearin shaded areas where the sun cannot reach,such as around clumps of trees, behind buildings,or under bridges. Sometimes the surface of a curveor an overpass can remain icy when the surroundingroads are clear. If you see a patch of ice aheadof you, brake before you are on it. Try not to brakewhile you are actually on the ice, and avoidsudden steering maneuvers.If You Are Caught in a BlizzardIf you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in aserious situation. You should probably stay withyour vehicle unless you know for sure that you are nearhelp and you can hike through the snow. Here aresome things to do to summon help and keep yourselfand your passengers safe:• Turn on the hazard warning flashers.• Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police thatyou have been stopped by the snow.• Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.If you do not have blankets or extra clothing, makebody insulators from newspapers, burlap bags,rags, floor mats — anything you can wrap aroundyourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.5-19
