The winter can be a beautiful time of year filled with holidays and visits from loved ones. However, those colder months also bring about new hazards on the road. Making yourself aware of the common dangers of driving during the winter can help you avoid being involved in an accident. If you find yourself dealing with an injury claim or lawsuit, work with a New Jersey auto accident lawyer for skilled representation and legal advice.
What Are the Most Common Driving Dangers in the Winter?
- Slick roads from snow and ice buildup
- Reduced visibility of vehicles, road markings, signs, etc. from snow, sleet, and fog
- Cold temperatures affecting car batteries and causing tires to lose pressure quickly
- Increased traffic due to holidays and events
- Carbon monoxide poisoning from letting a vehicle warm up in a small space or while snow or other objects block the exhaust
- Road salt eating away at the undercarriage of the vehicle and damaging brake lines or other parts
- Bridges freezing quickly creating slippery and dangerous surfaces
- Developing hypothermia, frostbite, and other related ailments when stranded out in the cold
- Hail causing cracks or shattering windows and windshields during travel
- Poor road maintenance
- Ice or snow falling off of trees or the tops of cars while driving
How Can I Prevent a Winter Car Accident?
After reading the above common dangers that affect drivers during the winter months, consider the following ways you can prevent an accident.
- Drive carefully: Maybe obvious, but it is important to drive with extra caution during the winter months. Look both ways and consider your decisions carefully to make up for lower visibility or less control of the vehicle.
- Brake early: Snow, slush, and ice can cause your car to slide while braking. If you are approaching an intersection, start braking ahead of time to ensure that even if your tires slip you have ample room to stop.
- Do not tailgate: Leave a significant amount of room between you and the car ahead of you. Black ice can come out of nowhere and cause you or another vehicle to slide or spin out of control. It is best to keep your distance to allow you time to react in case something happens.
- Leave early: If you have to be somewhere on time, leave your house early to ensure you can get there without speeding or engaging in reckless driving.
- Be prepared: In case your car stalls or breaks down in the frigid weather, be prepared with an emergency kit. Stock your car with warm blankets, extra clothes, nonperishable food, water, flares, flashlights, and more.
- Stay home: Finally, the best way to avoid an accident is to stay off the roads. It is impossible to forgo driving for an entire season, but if you are not comfortable driving in the weather then don’t. Get a ride from a confident driver or change your plans to suit your needs. Your safety should be of the utmost importance so do not get behind the wheel if you don’t feel comfortable driving in the conditions.
