This Tesla driver will probably drive a lot slower in the snow and ice than before.
Presumed Michigan resident and Redditor /u/SilverExpress01 shared dashcam footage taken last week (Jan. 11, 2024) to the /r/IdiotsInCars subreddit showing how a driver in a Tesla Model 3 going too fast for the conditions subsequently slammed into a back of a truck stopped at an intersection despite braking as hard as they could.
Check out his dashcam footage below.
[OC] Ice, Ice, Baby – Tesla on Ice
byu/Silverexpress01 inIdiotsInCars
The accident happened at the intersection of E Square Lake Rd. and Squirrel Rd. in Bloomfield Township, MI (Exact location on Google Maps linked here.)
In OP’s video, we can see a textbook example of how you’re supposed to drive when it’s snowing.
Despite being in a 35 MPH zone, OP really only accelerates up to a max of 30 MPH. (Experts recommend knocking off up to 10 MPH in the snow.)
OP gradually begins to slow before the intersection, long before he actually reaches it.
In contrast, the driver in a white Tesla Model 3 can be seen sliding into view on OP’s left.
They were likely going way too fast, hit a patch of ice and, despite braking, didn’t slow much at all.
The Tesla slides into the back of a pickup truck, learning a valuable lesson that day.
Many of the top comments highlighted OP’s safe driving.
“Nice driving, OP,” /u/NoraaTheExploraa commented.
“I came here to say this exact thing! Appropriate speed long before approaching that line. I’m in Buffalo and we learn very early how to drive in snow,” /u/mrsdmath replied.
“But it’s all-wheel drive! That means you have better stopping on ice because all four wheels are braking too!!,” /u/TinCastle sarcastically replied.
On top of praising OP and re-iterating how important it is to slow in the snow, others pointed out how important having the right tires for the conditions is.
“Not only do snow tires (aka winter tires) help compared with most All-Season tires (when braking in snow,) they are a significant improvement over low rolling resistance tires that are now standard OEM for all electric cars and most hybrids too,” /u/GonzoStateOfMind added.
Although snow tires are recommended and arguably mandatory for snowy conditions, slowing down sufficiently for the conditions should be prioritized above all else.
Driving in the snow means taking into account having less traction than you normally have in the warmer seasons.
And, as this Tesla shows, you can’t drive as you normally would.
