A Jeep sits stuck in thick, slushy mud along a rural road in Anza, a common challenge for drivers navigating the area’s backroads, even with four-wheel drive. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo
With winter rains having arrived in recent weeks, local experts have shared some dirt-road advice gathered from years of driving in ice, mud, snow and sand.“Driving in mud is similar to driving in snow,” said longtime Anza Valley resident Gary Worobec. “First, keep moving - once you stop you are stuck. Secondly, lay off the brakes, especially on a road with a crown. If you lock your brakes you are going to start sliding toward the ditch.”Drive smart: stay centered and steadyWhen unpaved roads become saturated with an inch or more of precipitation, they often turn slimy and slick. Experienced drivers recommend staying in the middle of the road, driving slowly, keeping a steady speed and avoiding sudden steering movements. If a vehicle begins to slide, it is less likely t
