Staying Safe on the Roads This Winter
Winter is officially here, which means driving is about to get much more difficult. If you’re planning on spending any amount of time on the road between now and spring, here are some tips to keep in mind if you want to stay safe.
Be Prepared
The winter weather can be tough on your vehicle, and the last thing you want is to be stranded in the cold by an unreliable vehicle. Get your car checked out now if you haven’t already and make sure everything is in proper working order. This includes having reliable tires with good tread, a good battery, dependable brakes and working windshield wipers. You should also make sure that your windshield washer fluid is topped off at all times and you’ve added antifreeze to your radiator if you live someplace that is particularly cold.
Being prepared for winter driving also means having emergency supplies on hand. This should include jumper cables, at least two blankets, a set of warm clothing, a snow shovel, an ice scraper, road flares and some high-calorie foods such as candy or nuts. You should also have something that can give your tires some extra traction on an icy surface such as sand or kitty litter. Sprinkling some of this underneath your tires when you’re stuck might be what gets you moving.
Reduce Your Speeds
It’s been said that you should never drive faster than conditions allow, and that especially goes for winter driving. You might be able to go over 55 miles per hour on a dry road, but that kind of speed will only make you spin out if there is too much ice and snow. Reduce your speed, and don’t worry about being late to where you need to go. It’s better to show up late in one piece than not make it at all.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time
You should never be in too much of a hurry when you have to drive in the winter, so make sure you leave earlier than usual to get where you need to go on time. Not only will you need to reduce your speeds on icy roads, but you should count on other drivers to do the same. Depending on the weather, your usual commute could be 15 minutes to an hour longer than usual.
Watch Your Braking
You will need more room to stop on an icy or snowy road, so be ready to brake sooner than you normally would. There should be at least a car length between you and the vehicle in front of you at all times.
If you find yourself starting to slide, do not slam on your brakes. This will only cause them to lock up and make you go out of control. Ease off the accelerator (remember that you shouldn’t be going too fast) and turn your wheels in the direction that the rear end of your vehicle is sliding.
What to Do When You’re In An Accident
If you’re in an accident during the winter, remain calm and check to see if anybody is injured. Get your vehicle to the side of the road if you can, speak to the driver of the other vehicle and exchange insurance information. Call 911 if there is an injury.
If the accident was not your fault and you feel you are entitled to compensation, you can contact the Pittsburgh personal injury attorneys at Goldberg, Persky & White. Understanding your rights to compensation after an accident can be complicated. At GPW Law, our team of auto accident lawyers will help you get what you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation regarding your accident and discover what we can do for your case.
