Winter Driving Safety Tips
Winter driving can be a nerve wracking experience. An unexpected slide across a bridge, a patch of black ice while turning off a main road, or cars and trucks driving just close enough to make you nervous — these are just some of the hazards you face in inclement weather.
- Increase your following distance behind vehicles to 8-10 seconds to allow slower deceleration.
- Do not use cruise control on any wet, icy, or snowy road
- Have properly inflated tires
- Remember that bridges ice over faster and easier than roads do
- Do not accelerate up hills as this may cause tires to spin
- Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up
- Accelerate, decelerate, and make turns slowly in order to avoid skids and maintain traction
Practice Cold Weather Driving
NHTSA (The National Highway Traffic and Safety Association) offers these additional tips to help prepare for winter driving:
- Steer in to a skid
- Stomp on anti-lock brakes.
- Pump non-anti-lock brakes.
- NHTSA also suggests rehearsing maneuvers slowly on ice or snow in an empty lot during daylight.
Breaking in Snow and Rain
If you’re not familiar with what to expect from your brakes in winter weather here’s a quick primer on Antilock Brake Systems (ABS) from NHTSA.
Unfortunately, despite all the precautions in the world, accidents do happen. Understanding your options after an accident is just as important as filing a report with your insurance carrier and the police. If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident due to the negligence of someone else, seek consultation from an experienced personal injury attorney.
The attorneys at Tabor Law Firm have 75 years of combined legal experience helping injured victims and families who have lost a loved one. Protecting the rights of victims and their families is our top priority. Let us help you understand your rights and get the answers you need. For more information on your legal options following an auto accident, speak with a skilled, experienced auto accident lawyer at Tabor Law Firm and schedule a free consultation.
