Icy Road Safety Tips
Snow and ice can really make travel during the winter season a treacherous experience. Even if you are an experienced driver, driving on icy roads can still be a challenge as it presents many hazards that can still take you by surprise. It is therefore extremely important to be armed with helpful information so that you can travel safely during the winter months. Here are some icy road safety tips you should consider following:
Slow Down
Accelerating, turning, and stopping take longer on icy roads. It is recommended that you slow down and avoid stopping or steering suddenly. Take it slow to give yourself time to maneuver safely. Drive at lower speeds but don’t lock up your wheels. Most modern cars are equipped with anti-lock brakes which can prove helpful under normal conditions, but may struggle in icy and snowy situations.
Check Your Tires
When driving in the winter season, you want your tires to have more tread and you should also make sure they are properly inflated. For maximum safety, follow these guidelines:
- The recommended tread for tires during winter months is at least 3 mm.
- Consider changing to all-season or winter tires as they give better grip in wet, cold conditions.
- Don’t decrease tire pressure for more grip, it doesn’t work. In fact, it reduces stability.
Don’t Use Cruise Control
On icy roads, it is highly recommended that you avoid using cruise control. Driving in the winter requires you to be in full control of your vehicle at all times because slippery ice can appear on the road at any time. If you use cruise control, it will make the roads much more dangerous.
Brake Early, Not Frequently
When driving on an icy road, you should leave much more space between your vehicle and the one ahead of you as compared to when the road is dry. The purpose of this is to make sure that you have enough space to brake early and smoothly to maintain control of your vehicle. Braking suddenly on icy roads is an easy way to put your vehicle in an uncontrollable skid.
Watch Out for Black Ice
Black ice is basically a thin layer of ice that may shine slightly on the surface of the road and, most of the time, it can be really hard to see or spot. Safety tips for driving on black ice include the following:
- Don’t panic.
- Avoid sudden maneuvers.
- Keep your steering straight.
- Maintain speed and don’t apply the brakes suddenly.
Plan Ahead
During cold wet weather conditions, stopping distances are much greater. If you don’t plan ahead, it is more likely that you will find yourself skidding dangerously into other vehicles or across junctions. Plan your route before you set off and stick to main roads. If you have local knowledge, driving along bus routes is a good idea because they are usually gritted.
Driving on icy roads during the winter season can be dangerous and no matter how well prepared you may be, there is always a chance that a road accident will take place. If this happens to you, don’t let the driver at fault or his/her insurance company tell you that the incident was inevitable due to icy road conditions. Contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Hilton & Somer, LLC to make sure that you are fairly compensated for your losses and injuries.
Hilton & Somer, LLC: Auto Accident Attorneys located in Fairfax and licensed to practice in Virginia, Maryland and in the District of Columbia
If you have been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, or unsafe driving, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Don’t hesitate to contact the car accident attorneys at Hilton & Somer, LLC. We make the legal process as hassle-free as possible. We will focus on recovering fair compensation for you while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery. Call us now for a free consultation (703) 560-0700.
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