Snowy Washington winters are stressful for many residents of our state. They can be particularly worrisome for those who drive frequently. Even the most confident motorists can experience understandable trepidation behind the wheel in snowy and icy conditions.
These feelings are natural. If you’re able to limit your driving during winter, doing so may be among the best ways to minimize your chances of being involved in an accident.
That said, sometimes you have to drive in the snow. If you expect to find yourself in these circumstances, and you’re wondering how to drive safely in winter weather, keep the following tips in mind:
Stay Smooth
Every moment you hit the accelerator, hit the brakes, or turn the steering wheel, there’s a chance that your tires will lose their grip with the road. Thus, experts recommend focusing on smooth and gradual movements when driving in snow and ice. Avoid making sharp turns and do your best to accelerate and brake slowly.
Turn the Radio Off
You hopefully already know you should never allow a smartphone or other such device to prevent you from focusing on the road at any time. However, you might not consider your radio to be much of a distraction.
In ideal driving conditions, leaving the radio on may be acceptable. However, when you’re driving in the snow, you need to be even more focused than you normally are. It’s thus a good idea to reduce distractions by keeping the radio off.
Additionally, don’t eat or consume beverages while driving in winter. This is another potential distraction that can increase your chances of being harmed in an accident.
Look in the Direction You Want to Go
There’s always a chance your car will begin to skid when driving in wintry conditions. If this happens, never look in the direction your car is headed. Instead, always look in the direction you want to travel in.
Know the Outside Temperature
Black ice is among the most feared hazards for those who must drive in winter. A road may look perfectly fine, when in reality, it’s covered in ice.
Black ice often forms when ice and snow have thawed during daytime hours. As night approaches, ice may form again.
Therefore, one of the best ways to determine whether you may need to worry about black ice is to pay attention to what your car’s thermometer says the outside temperature is when you’re driving. If it’s near or below freezing, proceed with caution. It’s best to err on the side of safety and always assume a road is icy when driving in cold winter weather.
All that said, sometimes car accidents happen in winter not because of poor weather, but because motorists are negligent. Perhaps you’ve been injured in a collision resulting from the carelessness of another driver.
Review your case with a car accident lawyer at Russell & Hill – Injury & Accident Attorneys if so. We may be able to help you pursue financial compensation for your losses. Get started today by calling us at 800-529-0842.
