Idaho Drivers Have to Stop Doing This in the Winter

Driving on winter roads can be dangerous, but you may be accidentally doing something that adds to the danger. You already know that you have to drive according to the conditions and that you shouldn’t be using your phone while driving around Idaho. So, what is the thing many drivers are doing, that would be fine any other time of year?

Common Car Feature is Dangerous in the Winter

The issue is a feature available on almost every car and used most often on long trips. The feature is cruise control and it can be deadly if used in the winter. Cruise control is great at keeping your car going at a specific speed. It is not good at stopping your car when sliding on ice and water or at keeping your car going straight in an emergency. The day after Christmas, there was a massive accident on the highway near Twin Falls involving more than 20 vehicles. The day after the wreck, the Twin Falls Sheriff’s Office released a social media post reminding drivers of the dangers of using cruise control when road conditions are questionable.

RELATED STORY: 20 Car Pileup on Highway Near Twin Falls After Christmas

The social media post specifically quotes a fact from AAA:

Using cruise control when driving in the rain, snow, hail, sleet or ice, or slippery roads can affect the system's ability to maintain a constant vehicle speed. On very low-traction surfaces such as ice and snow, cruise control operation can result in a skid or spin. Drive safe and avoid using cruise control on slippery roads.

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For your safety and that of those around you, take full control of your car in bad weather, and do not use cruise control when it is raining or snowing.