Safety Tips for Driving in Wintry Weather
With wintry weather rapidly approaching, The Weather Channel has compiled a list of driving tips for safely navigating roads this winter. Their top advice is to not drive at all if it can be avoided. If you must drive, give yourself plenty of time, and wait until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had plenty of time to do their work. If you do expect to drive in winter weather, it’s a good idea to practice in advance in an icy or snowy parking lot of other open space. In addition, consult your car’s owner’s manual for additional tips.
When you have to venture out on icy or snowy roads, slow down. Allow yourself plenty of time to stop – experts recommend a minimum of three times more space than usual between your car and the car in front of you.
Make your car visible to other drivers, and make other drivers visible to you. Turn on your headlights. Keep your windshield and lights clean. Don’t pass snowplows or sanding trucks, which typically have very limited visibility.
While driving, if you need to brake, do so gently. Let off the brakes if your wheels lock up. Make sure that you use lower gears, especially on hills, as this can increase your traction on the road. On icy roads, cruise control and overdrive can be hazardous – do not use them.
Always keep in mind while you are driving in winter weather that bridges and overpasses, and less traveled roads will freeze first. Don’t assume that because the road on which you are travelling is clear, that all roads are.
All too often, motorists don’t take the above tips into consideration when driving during the winter, and still drive recklessly or distracted. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact the experienced Missouri car crash injury attorneys at Page Law. Call us today at 866-620-5757.
For additional safety tips on how to handle driving in winter weather conditions, please check back with our blog next week.
