collaborative post | Winter driving presents unique challenges; from icy roads to snowy streets, safely navigating winter driving hazards can be difficult. Did you know over 730 fatal accidents occurred in winter? In fact, winter can be one of the most dangerous times to get behind the wheel.
Photo by Emilia Morariu on Unsplash
Since staying at home every time the temperature drops isn’t an option, you’ll want to know how to stay safe in the winter. To help guide you, here are some simple driving tips to help you avoid being involved in a wintertime car accident.
Winter Driving Tips
Check the Weather Forecast
Winter weather can change on a dime, especially for Texas residents. The day can start in the 60’s and then a cold front blows in. Suddenly, temperatures are dropping 30 degrees or more in an hour. Rain, sleet, high winds, and even snow often accompany these cold fronts.
These sudden weather changes can do more than make you wish you’d brought a heavy coat; they can also affect road safety. Overpasses can freeze, turning into slick roadways. Even neighborhood streets can ice over, making them almost impossible to safely navigate.
Paying attention to the weather forecast before heading out in the winter is a great way to get an idea of local road conditions. If you know what the weather is going to bring, you can better plan for poor road conditions.
Get Your Vehicle Ready for Winter
Texas Gulf Coast residents aren’t always prepared for winter. When summer lasts for around 9 months, it’s hard to think about ice, snow, and freezing temperatures. However, even if winter only lasts for a few weeks, preparing your vehicle is a crucial safety step.
Thankfully, the folks at AAA have compiled a handy winter-ready checklist for vehicles that everyone should follow, regardless of where they live in the Lonestar State. While the list is extensive, every recommendation may not apply. For example, Houstonians probably aren’t going to need snow chains but they will want to check their vehicle’s battery.
To help further inform you, here are a few other essential items on the list you don’t want to forget:
- Replace your windshield wiper blades. You may want to temporarily install a set designed especially for winter.
- Add antifreeze. You may even want to add some antifreeze to your windshield wiper fluid.
While we already mentioned checking your battery, the importance of this step can’t be overstated. Even Houston temperatures can drop below freezing and you don’t want to be stuck in the cold with a dead battery. Now is also the time to stick an ice scraper in your vehicle. You never know when you may need to clear your windshield.
Be a Cautious Driver
When the roads are icy or snowy, it’s not the time for speeding or any other form of aggressive driving. Take your time and go slow, which may mean leaving your house a little earlier to make it to work and other appointments on time.
Yes, Texas does have posted speed limits that can be as high as 70 mph. However, these speed limits are geared toward optimal road conditions. Not what you find in the winter.
You’re probably familiar with the three-second safe driving rule, which basically recommends leaving a three-second gap between your vehicle and the one in front. Go ahead and forget this rule in the winter.
You want to leave more than three seconds of space between vehicles. Try not to follow more than 6 seconds behind another vehicle since this can help give you plenty of time to stop if the lead vehicle suddenly applies the brakes or starts sliding.
Do You Know How to Get Out of a Skid
Icy and snowy roads are slick and most Texans don’t have winter or proper snow tires on their vehicles. Skidding vehicles are common in the winter. If your vehicle starts skidding, do you know what to do? Your actions can help prevent a traffic accident.
If your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes then press down on the pedal as the car starts sliding. Drivers without anti-lock brakes should apply their brakes gently. In other words, don’t slam on the brakes.
If the vehicle starts sliding into a spin, turn the wheel in the opposite direction of the one you want to go. Don’t yank the wheel, turn it gradually to pull the vehicle out of the turn.
Contact an Attorney if You’re In a Winter Car Accident
Despite rigorous preparation and adherence to safe driving practices, the unpredictable nature of winter conditions can lead to accidents beyond a driver’s control.
In such scenarios, consulting with a driving accident attorney can be pivotal in understanding your rights and assessing eligibility for compensation, ensuring you’re not left to bear the financial burden of an unforeseen event.
Very good tips! 🙂