How to Prevent White Smoke From Skidding Tires

Always watch your speed.

White smoke is created from tires when a car moving at a high rate of speed is slammed to a stop. Smoke is indicative of a vehicle moving too fast to come to a stop within an allotted distance. It also indicates a car that is out of control. An out-of-control car is dangerous to pedestrians, structures, other drivers and the driver and passengers of the car.

Instructions

1. Monitor your speed. Excessive speed puts you at greater risk of skidding in the event of an abrupt stop. The faster your car goes, the longer it takes your car to come to a complete stop. According to the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), a car traveling at 60 mph requires three times as much distance to come to a complete stop as does a car traveling at 30 mph.

2. Focus on traffic. On the road, traffic is not only happening in front of you, it is going on behind and beside you as well. Stay vigilant for pedestrian crossings, cars that stop short and accidents ahead of you. Taking your eyes off the road for any reason limits your field of view and greatly increases the risk of your car crashing or requiring a quick stop.

3. Always gradually stop your car when possible. Notice stoppages ahead of you: stop signs, red lights and construction, for example. According to the Connecticut DMV, a car traveling at 50 mph requires 400 feet to safely come to a stop. If you are traveling at or exceeding 50 mph and cannot clearly see a minimum of 400 feet in front of you, you are at risk of wrecking your car if an obstruction emerges within that distance.

References

• State of Connecticut DMV: Safe Driving and Stopping