I'm Scared!! Put the car in a ditch yesterday and can't get over my fear of driving in snow now. How can I?

wonderingmom

I did the same thing when I was pregnant with my first child and in labor. I was single at the time and couldn't find anyone to drive me to the hospital. I lived in Ohio and we had just had one of the biggest storms in about ten years. I was having contractions about every three mins. or so and one big one hit me hard. My foot slammed down on the gas and away I flew. Crossed three lanes slid sideways and closed my eyes. When the car finally stopped I was faced in the opposite direction with half the car buried in a ten foot snow bank. It took me nearly three months before I could drive again.
The biggest thing I learned is to not wait too long! Had I just got myself back into the car, without kids and no labor pains, I would have done fine. Just do things slow!
Take a short drive alone the first time and then fifteen minutes later do it again. Take the kids on the third trip so that you don't panic every time you put them in the car. Do this about five times in a row and I guarantee it will work. Your heart will be pumping but you'll do great!

Good Luck
Blessed Be

tom r

Glad you were not hurt! I know how scary that can be. Does your car have front or rear wheel drive. The reason I ask is the way you react in these situations differs with front drive vs rear drive. What I did 30 years ago when I learned to drive in the snow was to go find a huge mall parking lot, EMPTY of course and just goof off with the car to get a feel of how things worked under different situations, play with it that way. WITHOUT the kids in the car,that should build up your confidence and if a cop shows up while you are doing donuts at the mall, explain to him your situation chance are he will understand and actually appreciate the fact that you are trying to become a safer driver in bad weather.

island_illusions80

The most important thing when driving in the snow is to avoid driving in it if you can! Take it slow and know your limits, don't drive long distances, have good treads, don't put excessive weight in your trunk if you don't have rear wheel drive (that's a huge mistake many people make). What kind of brakes do you have? Never slam the brakes. If they are antilock, don't tap them, that's about as smart as giving a kid a cleever. Drive with a clear mind, the more you are nervous, the more likely you are to mess yourself up. I can go on like this all day...

booge

if you fall off a horse get right back on

Bill S

First of all speed kills, so don't drive too fast. Know what your vehicle is capable of, and know what you are capable of. As for downshifting that was your mistake you were going to fast to downshift and the tires spun causing you to loose control. Do not downshift at the same speeds as you would when driving in good weather, slow down sooner and then downshift. Get back out there and drive. I've driven in snow for 9 years and I love it, one reason being is the snow fills in all the potholes so the roads are smoother. Basically take your time and drive at speeds you feel safe at driving. If the person behind you doesn't like it let them pass you, and then you can laugh at them when you pass them as they are sitting in the ditch.

sterling m

get a set of bridgestone blizzaks on your car and get back out there , be cautious and stay off the brake and make all of your changes gradually, as to the "pup" that says you can't drive on ice , come up to Canada , he would be indoors for 4 to 6 months of the year

bikernoj

If you can't handle the snow, stay home or move to Arizona. I see dozens of people just like you every time we get a few flakes here in Colorado. Until you learn that your ABS, traction control, stability control, GPS and AWD do not let your car drive itself (no traction is no traction!), you should avoid inclement weather.

Nothing personal, but the money spent rescuing inept people from their own folly is very high here, and I'd rather see it spent on better things.

Rich

It is a very scary thing to be out of control.
You just need to realize that sometimes bad things happen to good people.
Regardless of how careful we are sometimes things happen beyond our control. If you drive scared you will have a higher risk of having an accident. Just accept it for what it was, an accident.
Continue to use your common sense and be thankful that all of you are O.K.
Take care!

Sir Sidney Snot

Get straigh back in and drive! the longer you leave it the worse the phobia will get.

Black Rodeo

Did you learn anything? If you did thats good! Now you know that you are not able to do that, but don't be afraid of driving. I was 11 when I first learned to drive and there was like 2 feet of snow on the ground.(Wisconsin) and I did not hit one thing, you know why? Because I was not legally doing it. If I was I would be driving like everyone else. Just take your time. one thing to not do is drink a highly caffinated drink because it makes you more jumpy. Also think about this...WHat is the chance its going to happen again? It wount unless you sit there and play in front of then the whole time right? Okay well got to go

chocolatetrini

Last year, I was forced off a road down a ledge and smashed into a wall. I was so scared to drive after that, but I took it slow the first time until I got my nerve back. You can do it. Just take it slow.

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