Driving accidents skyrocket during the winters. Visibility drops with the snow and road conditions make it harder to drive. Aside from the road, other drivers potentially become hazards as every one of you tries to keep your cars under control.
Try Not to Drive
If you can avoid going out, do so. A significant amount of road accidents happen outside the commutes to and from the office. Avoid going out to dinner or buying something from the store. If you have to go out, make it count. Make lists of everything you’ll need for a week and try to buy it in one go. Listen to road condition updates and try to drive after the city plows the roads. DUIs tend to increase during the holidays, so avoid the drunk drivers and the hefty fines by keeping your drinking inside the house or calling for an Uber/Lyft when you go out.
Know Your Route
Stick to one route as much as possible. Familiarize yourself with road conditions and hazards and take note of where they are. Places where black ice forms are especially noteworthy, and being prepared for the slips can save you a trip to the body shop or the hospital. Familiar routes also allow you to focus on the road since you won’t be looking for road signs to guide you. You’ll know every turn, every slippery stretch, and crossroads where accidents often happen.
Make Room
Three hundred feet is the braking distance when you’re driving at 50-60 miles per hour, but snow or ice can make that distance inadequate. Your car loses a lot of traction on frozen roads. Brakes become less effective, sometimes even useless, at high speeds. Widen the gap between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Wet conditions double the suggested tailing distance, and ice multiplies it by 10. Even if you’re driving a mere 20 mph, give the car in front of you a wide berth – around 400 feet.
Don’t Just Hit the Brakes
It’s easier to control a moving vehicle than to stop it, especially in winter conditions. Suddenly hitting the brakes limits the control of your car and increases your car’s chances of skidding or spinning out of control. Maintain control of your vehicle and try to minimize collision damage. If your vehicle has ABS (anti-lock braking system), you can press your foot on the brakes, and it will allow you to steer while braking. Snow tires or chains can give you more traction and make your brakes somewhat more effective, but not by much.
Accidents and Car Trouble
Stalling, car troubles, and accidents can be particularly dangerous during wintertime. Visibility can be dismal, and other cars might not notice a stalled or damaged vehicle. Try to get your vehicle off the road and call a towing service. Bright red LED and emergency lights will make you visible to oncoming traffic and warn them of the road conditions.
Driving in the winter requires more effort, vigilance, and attention to detail. Just make sure to keep an eye on other drivers. While you might be taking steps to ensure your safety, you have no control over other motorists.