Safety Tips for Driving in Winter Weather

Every year, 800 Americans die in car crashes that happen when they are driving in winter weather. Another 16,800 are injured. There are three important safety tips that may help prevent you from becoming a statistic.

Make Sure Your Car is Prepared

Before you begin your winter driving, make sure your car is winterized by:

• Testing your battery. The power in your battery drops as the temperature of the environment drops.
• Checking the tread on your tires. Replace them if necessary. Depending on where you live, you may want to invest in snow tires or, at a minimum, be sure to carry chains with you.
• Checking the tire pressure. When the temperature drops, the tire pressure drops.
• Making sure your wiper blades are in good shape.
• Keeping your gas tank at least half full.

Before You Drive Away

Each time you get in your car to drive, do the following:

• Clean the side view mirrors and if you have a camera lens, clean that too.
• Remove all ice, snow, dirt, and debris from sensors and windows.
• Warm up the car before driving away.
• Do not warm up the car in the garage and never leave it running in the garage, even if the garage door is up. The risk of carbon monoxide is great if you do this.
• If there is a prediction of a severe storm, stay home if you possibly can.
• Always share your travel plans with someone else who will know if you do not reach your destination on time.

While You are On the Road

While you are driving some safe winter driving tips you should follow are:

• Do not use cruise control.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly.
• Avoid stopping while driving uphill whenever possible.
• If you skid, steer into the skid and be careful not to overcorrect.
• Increase your following distance to give you more of a chance to brake if the car ahead of you breaks.
• Adapt your speed to driving conditions even if that means driving slower than the posted speed limit.

No matter how careful you are, you cannot always avoid being in the path of a negligent driver. If this happens to you and you are injured, the personal injury attorneys at Springer & Lyle can help you get the reasonable compensation you are entitled for your injuries, lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other physical damage.  Contact us at 940.387.0404 for a free consultation.