While winter weather has some incredible beauty associated with it, it also has a lot of danger to those driving on the roads during any type of snowy weather. If you have been trying to figure out ways of making driving this winter just a bit safer, then you are not alone. It is incredibly important to make sure that you are doing everything you can to be safe on the roads, as that is the best way to avoid personal injury, or injuring someone else.
Tips to Keep Your Car Winter-Ready
The first part of winter travel you must prepare is your vehicle. You need to make sure that it is going to be able to perform safely on the road, no matter what Mother Nature puts in front of you. Here are a few quick tips to ensure your car is as safe as possible when winter weather hits:
Check the air pressure in each tire is where it should be
Try and park where a parking brake is not needed, as they can freeze
Always travel, and park, with at least a half of a tank of gas to ensure your gas lines don’t freeze up
Warm your car up outside, or at least with the garage door open to avoid the fumes
Never pull out of the driveway without your seatbelt on
Never use cruise when the roads are slick, snowy, or icy
Each of these tips can help your car perform its best on the roads. Here are a few other places to find more tips:
Winterizing Your Car for Cold Winter Weather
More Tips on Preparing Your Car for Winter’s Cold Weather
Car Talk Helps Offer Winter Preparedness Tips
CDC Wants Your Car to Be Prepared for Winter Weather
Tips from the Department of Transportation on Winter Weather Safety
Staying Safe When Travelling Longer Distances
Before you head out on the road for a longer trip this winter, there are a few things you need to also do in order to remain safe from personal injury. Make sure that you go out in winter weather well-prepared, by:
Keep an eye on the weather where you are, and where you are headed, before you leave the house
Stock up your car before leaving with items like water bottles, food that won’t go bad, blankets, extra gloves and hats, and a flashlight
Always make sure your phone has a full charge before you leave
Should you get stuck, mark your antenna with something brightly colored to attract attention, and stay inside your vehicle until help arrives
Regularly check to ensure your tailpipe is not covered in snow or slush to keep fumes outside the vehicle where they belong
Here are a few other places that can offer you ways of staying safe during winter travel:
Preparing Your Vehicle for Long Distance Trips
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Offers Ways to Safely Travel Longer Distances
Tips for Safer Driving Out in Wintery Conditions
Preparing Before You Head Out in the Snow Helps Keep You Safer
Minnesota Offers Their Own Safety Tips Since They Deal with So Much Snow
Avoiding Car Accidents While Out in the Snow
Car accidents when driving in snowy conditions can quickly lead to personal injuries, which may be difficult to get treated. The best way to avoid these injuries is to be incredibly cautious while you are driving by doing things like:
Leave extra space in front of you to stop, as making sure to accelerate and decelerate slower than normal leaves you more in control
Do not feel the need to do the speed limit, as slower driving in the snow will help you avoid more car accidents
Try and maintain one safe speed the entire time you are out, not speeding up to hit hills faster, or slowing down unnecessarily
Stay home whenever you do not absolutely need to go out
Here are a few other ways that you can stay safe while out driving in the snow:
Consumer Reports Has Safe Driving Tips
Edmunds Offers Tips to Make Winter Driving Safer
Icy Road Safety Tips to Avoid Car Accidents
The DMVs Take on Safe Driving Tips
National Parks and Wildlife Helps Keep You Safer on Winter Roadways
Winter Driving in Big Cities Is Even More Important
For a free legal consultation, call (212) 540-2981
If you are out on a country road, and you slip off the road, you are not likely to hurt anyone aside from possibly yourself. However, if you are driving in a big city, such as New York City, you could cause pain and suffering to countless people, even with a simple car accident. Here are a few tips to remember when in bigger cities:
Make room for the plows, as they are the best ways to clear up roads
Don’t park somewhere that makes it to where roads cannot be plowed
Go much slower than usual, as stop and go on snow doesn’t have the same response time when snow is under your tires
Should you end up in any type of a car accident, get out of the road as quickly as you can in case others skid into your car from the snow, preventing further personal injury
Here are a few other tips for those who have to maneuver around a big city during winter weather:
Understanding Snow Removal Makes for Safer Driving
The DMV Suggests Special Precautions During Special Weather Circumstances
The Dangers Associated with Driving in Freezing Rain
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