Snow has become a common sight in the New York/New Jersey area, which means the roads are likely icy and more dangerous than usual. The most important thing to remember is to slow down when roads are covered in snow or ice, even if they have already been plowed and salted. There are other tips and tricks that you should keep in mind if you find yourself in unfortunate situations on the road.

Driving on icy roads
In addition to going slowly, you should be cautious on bridges, overpasses and less-traveled roads as these areas will probably be icier than busier roadways, according to The Weather Channel. It is also important to brake gently, as this will help you avoid skidding. If you do start to skid or notice the wheels are locking, ease your foot off the brake. 

Skidding
If you start to skid, don’t panic. First, take your foot off the gas pedal and steer the car in the direction the wheels are going. If they change direction, don’t jerk the wheel the other way, but slowly turn it in the new direction. At the same time, you should be applying steady pressure to your brake pedal. Most cars have antilock brakes that will automatically pump for you, but if you have standard brakes you will need to pump them manually during a skid.

Getting stuck
Whether you can’t pull out of your parking space or you’ve gone off the road and can’t seem to get the car to move, it may be tempting to floor it and use acceleration to get the car to go. However, this will only further dig you in to the spot, so instead, turn the steering wheel from side to side, as this can help the tires push snow out of the way. You can also clear the snow away with a shovel or put down some gravel, sand or kitty litter to add friction.

If you need a used car this winter, head to NJ State Auto Auction, which has a wide selection of makes and models to choose from.