The Risks of Sleet Driving And How To Stay Safe

That ping-ping-ping on your windshield is one of winter's most treacherous driving hazards making its presence known. Sleet – those small, transparent ice pellets that bounce when they hit the ground (and your car) – creates a kind of dangerous road condition that is different from both snow and rain. Understanding the specific risks of sleet can mean the difference between safe arrival and becoming the next winter driving accident victim.

Dangers of Driving in Sleet

Sleet is the result of snowflakes melting while falling through a warm layer of air, only to refreeze into ice pellets when passing through cold air near the ground. This creates several special driving hazards:

Rapid Road Deterioration:

As opposed to snow, which may take hours to accumulate, sleet has the potential to alter road conditions in a matter of minutes. The ice pellets immediately reduce traction upon contacting pavement and make the roads slippery with little notice. The abrupt change typically catches drivers off guard, and they lose control suddenly.