Every winter, over 136,000 road users sustain varying degrees of injuries while over 1,800 lose their lives as a result of car accidents caused by icy road conditions. Worse, a large percentage of these fatalities tend to occur between the hours of 9am and 2pm.
This means during the daytime when there’s considerable traffic. As a road user or vehicle owner, you need to be very careful during the winter. Many drivers tend to overestimate their vehicle’s capabilities and aren’t careful enough on the roads in the winter season.
No wonder there are many needless accidents during this time of the year. If you want to stay safe and protect other road users too, you need to be extra careful while driving during snowy conditions. This article will show you what you need to drive carefully and get home safely to your loved ones during the winter.
Carry Out Proper Pre-Winter Inspection and Maintenance
Every vehicle performs differently in the summer and in the winter. So, you need to winterize your vehicle before the season starts fully. Check your vehicle for any issues that could potentially become a safety hazard.
For example, worn brakes might take when you need to apply them in an emergency during the summer. In the winter, however, they probably won’t because of the rod conditions. So, check front and rear lights, brakes, coolant levels and integrity, vehicle battery, and windshield wipers.
These are very crucial to safe driving in the winter. Also, have your tires checked for punctures, tire wear, uneven threads, and much more. If you’re unsure of the state of your tires, just buy a new set. It could save your life.
Anticipate Potential Hazards
Many drivers drive reactively. This means that they only react when it’s almost too late or too late. Understand that the road conditions during the winter are much more hazardous than in other seasons.
Because icy roads are the single biggest cause of accidents during the winter, you need to be proactive and anticipate possible problems while driving. It’s not enough to drive within the mile per hour range, you must also look out for other road users who may be a bit more careless than you are.
Common Sense is Very Important
Also, use common sense at all times and don’t assume anything. Even when you have the right of way, if you see a car barreling towards you, trying to run a red light or tailgating you, avoid them, wait, or just yield to them.
The reality is even when you have right of way, getting into accidents isn’t worth it because you could be badly injured. And even if great car accident lawyers are able to get you adequate compensation, you could be in pain for a long time, lose a loved one, or suffer irreparable damage. Don’t let a few seconds or minutes of stubbornness get you into trouble.
Always have essentials like deicers, warm blankets, torches, spare batteries, ice scrapers, spare cellphones, wellies, and hot thermos. These will keep you safe if you’re ever in a snowstorm and need to stay put until it passes or help arrives.
Remember: safety first at all times.
Thanks for reading and y’all stay dandy.
-Diego
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