Top Winter Driving Safety Tips! | Williams DeLoatche, P.C.

With the mild weather we have had so far, many might be thinking that spring is right around the corner. But, there are still plenty of winter days left on the calendar. If we should receive some snow or ice this winter, we want to make sure you are ready by providing helpful reminders and tips for driving during wintery conditions. Being prepared will help you to avoid serious accidents on the roadways.

Here are some safe-driving tips presented by our friends at safemotorist.com that will help you when roads are slick with ice or snow:

Get the feel of the road by starting slowly and testing your steering control and braking ability. Avoid spinning your tires when you start by gently pressing your gas pedal until the car starts to roll. Start slowing down at least three times sooner than you normally would when turning or stopping.
Equip your vehicle with chains or snow tires. Chains are the most effective, and they should be used where ice and snow remain on the roadway. Remember that snow tires will slide on ice or packed snow, so keep your distance.
Reduce your speed to correspond with conditions. There is no such thing as a “safe” speed range at which you may drive on snow or ice. You must be extremely cautious until you can determine how much traction you can expect from your tires.
When stopping, avoid sudden movements of the steering wheel and pump the brake gently. Avoid locking of brakes on glazed ice as it will cause a loss of steering and control. Every city block and every mile of highway may be different, depending upon the sun or shade and the roadway’s surface. (Check your vehicle owner’s manual, if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes, you may apply steady pressure to the brake pedal.)
Maintain a safe interval between you and the car ahead of you according to the pavement conditions. Many needless rear-end crashes occur on icy streets because drivers forget to leave stopping space.
Keep your vehicle in the best possible driving condition. The lights, tires, brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, and radiator are crucial for winter driving.
Keep your windows clear. Don’t start driving until the windows are defrosted and clean – even if you’re only going a short distance.
Watch for danger or slippery spots ahead. Ice may remain on bridges even though the rest of the road is clear. Snow and ice also stick longer in shaded areas.
Correctly operating windshield wipers and defrosters are essential to safety while driving in snow and ice conditions. Properly maintained windshield wipers are a must; there are also special blades available that are better equipped to assist in removing snow from the windshield. Defroster effectiveness is essential in the initial clearing of snow and ice from the windshield – and in some instances the rear window when a vehicle is so equipped – and should be checked well in advance of need. In certain cases, a change of the vehicle thermostat will restore appropriate heat to the defroster system.
A member from our firm provided this important tip: When sliding on ice, turn your steering wheel in the direction your back wheels are sliding to straighten out and avoid spinning out of control or landing in a ditch.

If you have been injured in an accident due to a third party’s negligence, we can help. Williams and DeLoatche is a team of experienced attorneys and legal professionals that is ready to serve you. Our team is proficient at handling all manners of personal injury law cases. We put you in the best position to receive maximum compensation for your injury.

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If Winter Weather Should Surprise Us Be Prepared – Top Winter Driving Safety Tips!