In some parts of the world, the winter months bring about cold weather, snow, and icy conditions. While the snow creates ample opportunity for fun and games, the snow can also create some dangerous driving conditions for even the most experienced drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 374 fatal accidents and approximately 25,000 injuries related to the wintry driving conditions in 2020. Therefore, it is crucial that you drive with extreme caution in the snow, and take note of the following tips to ensure safe driving.
Remove Snow From Your Car’s Exterior
Before you start driving, you want to check if there is any snow or ice on the outside of your car. If so, you want to remove it using a snow brush or ice scraper. Having snow or ice on your car while driving can be dangerous to both you and other drivers on the road. As you are driving, the snow may fall off and impede the vision of you and others on the road. Therefore, it is wise to exercise caution and remove all snow prior to driving.
Snow Tires and Chains
If you are planning to drive in the snow often, it is recommended that you invest in snow tires or snow chains to ease your experience. The design of snow tires helps to give you better traction on the slippery roads due to their tread patterns and tread rubber. Snow chains are a great temporary solution to driving in ice or snow, and there are several different types to choose from depending on your needs. It is important that you don’t use snow chains on the bare pavement as this can be very damaging to both your tires and the road.
Drive Slowly
While this one seems relatively intuitive, it is vital that you drive slowly in the snow. When driving on snow or ice, you will inevitably have less traction. Therefore, you should avoid excessive jerking movements and drive as smoothly and deliberately as possible. You should try and push the accelerator slowly in order to maintain traction and avoid skidding. Additionally, it is important to be aware that it takes longer to slow down when on icy roads, so plan accordingly.
Increase the Distance Between You and Other Cars
The general rule of thumb when driving is to follow the three-second rule, meaning you should leave about three seconds of space between you and the car in front of you. This helps to keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you in case their car suddenly slows down or stops. However, this distance should be increased when driving in the snow. It is recommended that you keep approximately eight to ten seconds of space to account for the slippery conditions that may take longer for you to slow down.
Stay Visible
When you are driving, you want to make sure that you keep your headlights on even in the daytime so that other drivers on the road are able to see you through the wintry air that may decrease visibility. You can also upgrade your standard halogen headlights to HID or LED headlights that are much brighter. Additionally, you want to make sure that your brake lights and turn signals are free from snow or ice that may be obscuring people’s ability to clearly see them.
Avoid Skidding
When driving in icy conditions, your car may begin to skid. Skidding is when your vehicle begins to slide, usually sideways, as a result of turning, stopping, or accelerating too quickly. However, it is important to not panic and not slam on the brakes. Instead, you want to take your foot off the accelerator and begin to steer gently into the skidding. For example, if the rear of the car begins to skid towards the left, you want to steer towards the left. Try not to overcorrect your steering while doing this.
Pack Supplies For An Emergency
In the unfortunate event you get caught in a snowstorm, it is important to make sure you are equipped with the necessary supplies to survive. Here are some supplies you should keep in your car just in case:
- Blankets
- Flashlights
- Food and water
- First aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Extra Gas tank
- Phone charger
- Flares or reflectors
- Tire chains
- Shovel
- Windshield scraper
- Reflective vest
- Clothes
- Maps
Car Accidents
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for car accidents to occur in snowy conditions as many individuals do not know how to drive in these dangerous conditions. If you find yourself in a car accident due to these conditions, it is advised that you contact an experienced New Haven car accident lawyer to learn about your legal rights and the legalities of the situation at hand.
Drive Safely!
Driving in wintry conditions can be very dangerous, therefore, it is crucial you are alert and drive with care. It is important to be prepared in case of an emergency and educate yourself about the measures you can take to ensure the safety of you and others on the road. Of course, the safest thing you can do during extreme snowy conditions is to stay home and stay off the roads. Drive safely!