Although driving on ice may sound like a not very wise thing to do. Minnesota and New Hampshire with their comparable insurance rates offer many kinds of recreational activities in the winter, and it often gets cold enough for lakes and ponds and rivers to freeze over completely.

In these cases it can be necessary to drive a motor vehicle or more likely something a snowmobile across these surfaces or onto the surface to enjoy some ice fishing or hunting. Understanding how and when to cross an icy body like a frozen lake is paramount, especially since falling into such a body can mean death. By following a few simple safety tips, the winter recreational enthusiast can assure of themselves of a long life of winter time fun, ice included.

The chief hazard of driving any kind of vehicle, whether recreational or regular use is the ice failing. A casual glance at the surface of the ice is not a safe way to determine whether or not the ice is safe to cross or not. Nor is the outside temperature. Often, water movements are unpredictable, and the water is generally a warmer temperature than the outside air. A good way to gauge the safety of an icy body is to check first with a local shop about areas where there are known thin spots. If they cannot provide good information, a self check is needed. By using a chisel or even a cordless drill with a long bit, the driver can make a good determination about the strength and thickness of the ice.

It goes without saying that one can plan a route that does not involve ice, but sometimes this is not easy or practical. Rivers do not provide alternative crossing points, and lakes may be too large to make going around them convenient. Plan accordingly. If the individual is operating a motor vehicle across an icy body of water, plan to keep the windows lowered. It might be colder, but in the event of a breakthrough in the ice, the driver has a ready way to escape from their vehicle. If the driver has brought along a group of people, ensure that they are aware of the dangers and discuss a simple evacuation plan in the case of an accident.

For some people, nothing complements ice fishing better than several beers, but alcohol should really be avoided at all costs. For one thing it is illegal, but the impairment in judgement can make a casual determination fatal for everyone concerned. Also, alcohol lowers the overall body temperature, and that can make the difference between life or death if someone falls into a cold lake.

One should be aware of driving speeds at all times when driving on ice. It goes without saying that a vehicle takes much longer to stop on an icy surface than on a road, and one’s driving speed should reflect that. A slower speed also gives the driver better time to react in the case of a break.

Ice driving can be done safely if the driver keeps certain safety precautions in mind. Most importantly, situational awareness is key to safe enjoyment of winter recreation.

Sally Smith writes for Minnesota Car Insurance quotes and New Hampshire auto Insurance rates.