There are several ways to avoid being in a winter car accident. Below I’ll summarize some quick tips to stay safe this season. When possible try to travel after the salt trucks and plows have treated the main roads. Second, brake lightly, using on-and-off motions when coming to a stop. For manual transmission cars, try to avoid abrupt downshifts, as this can cause the wheels to skid. Attempting to power up hills can also have negative effects, because applying extra gas on snow-covered roads may cause your wheels to start spinning.
We may not realize that it’s the air inside our tires that supports our car while you’re driving. If you see a strange warning light on your dashboard as you start up your engine, it may mean that your tire pressure is too low. The air in your tires expands when heated, and contracts when cooled, meaning during colder weather, it’s common for your tire pressure to decrease, posing a threat to your winter driving. When properly inflated, your tires are able to perform at their best, and will provide better handling, dependable traction for better safety.
When driving in ice or snowy conditions, it’s important to leave a substantial amount of space between you and the car in front of you. A general guideline is to use the six-second rule, meaning that when the car in front of you passes a fixed point in the road, it should take you six seconds before you pass that same point. Yes, this might seem excessive, but it will prevent a potential auto accident if the car in front of you suddenly stops, and it takes you longer than anticipated to slow down. If you are the one who’s being tailgated too closely by the car behind you, change lanes to avoid the potential danger of this driver. During the winter, it’s important to relax your driving, avoid rushing and give others their space. A trusted car accident lawyer residents turn to encourages this safe behavior.
For some, driving with cruise control has become almost second nature, as it can help prevent leg fatigue and can keep you from unwittingly speeding. However, utilizing cruise control in harsh conditions can be unsafe. During the winter months, attempt to make a conscious effort to ensure that you are not using it when driving in snow, ice or hail. If your car skids while cruise control is activated, it may continue to accelerate and rapidly spin the wheels in an attempt to maintain the selected constant speed. This is extremely dangerous and can make it more likely for you to lose control of your car.
Distracted driving has been shown to be as risky as driving under the influence of alcohol. Avoid both by putting cell phones away and take a taxi or Uber when you’ve been celebrating this holiday season.
The legal firm of Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. has successfully represented many DUI cases. Our attorneys are here to help. Contact Rispoli & Borneo, P.C. today for a free initial consultation.