Many states see an increase in reckless driving during the summer months because the roads offer the perfect driving conditions. However, the same cannot be said about the winter months. During the winter months, the snow can cause roads to be extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, many people are seriously injured when a snowstorm is unexpectedly dangerous. If you’re on the roads this winter, make sure that you’re following these safety tips to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.

Make Sure Your Ride is Ready

Do you have wipers that only make it worse? Do your brakes work, but only just barely? Are your tires nearly bald? If so, your ride is not ready for a ride in a winter storm. Along with making sure you’re not driving a car that’s falling apart, you need to make sure that your car has the necessary first aid equipment. Depending on your location, having a shovel that can dig you out of a snowbank may also be necessary. Having food in the car can also help you stay safe.

Before you pull out of the driveway, you need to be able to see clearly from all windows. Your windshield, passenger windows, and rearview mirror. You should never leave your driveway if enough ice is still stuck to your windows to impede your vision.

Don’t Text and Drive – Dangerous Weather Car Accident Lawyer

Though you should never text and drive during the summer, texting and driving during the rainy seasons and snowy seasons is also a big no-no. When you’re driving through a snowstorm or rainstorm, your ability to see the road ahead of you is likely compromised. Also, you may have less control over the vehicle. Due to road conditions, you may have trouble stopping the vehicle on time. Also, if you’re going through unplowed roads, you could fishtail if you aren’t careful. You don’t want to be texting while driving if there’s an increased chance of such occurrences. Keep yourself, and others, safe by putting your phone away until you’re at your destination.

Go Slower than Your Normally Would

Stormy weather does not mark a good time to drive through the streets like a bat out of Hades. In fact, quite the contrary is true: if the weather is stormy, please slow down. Even if you have full confidence in your ability to drive through a storm, it’s never a good idea to trust other drivers. You may be on the road with inexperienced drivers or drivers that have never driven in such conditions. Those who didn’t learn to drive in Utah aren’t always prepared for driving in snowstorms. You never know who else is on the road. Therefore it’s always a good idea to drive defensively. If a driver is unable to correct, or overcorrects, you don’t want to be facing the consequences of that. 

Check the Weather Beforehand – Dangerous Weather Car Accident Lawyer

There’s nothing worse than being surprised by a storm, especially when you’re totally unequipped for the storm. If you’ve got a long drive ahead of you, it’s a good idea to check and see what the road conditions are like on the way out and on the way back. You may need to plan on packing a heavier coat than normal or pack additional food and water just in case. If you’re in a location that regularly gets heavy snowfall, you may decide to pack a shovel in case you need to dig your car out of a snowbank. Packing tire chains may also help you get out of a snowbank. If the weather is really bad, you may want to consider staying home.

Plan an Alternate Route

Depending on where you’re going, it may be a good idea to plan an alternate route as a just-in-case. When winter weather storms are intense, it’s not uncommon for the roads to get shut down. Having an alternate route in mind can help ensure that you aren’t stranded on the road for hours on end. You can dial 511 for updates on road conditions so you know which roads are shut down. If possible, you may also decide to take a longer route that’s a little safer. Though it may mean that you get there slower, it’s better to arrive late than to be seriously injured.

When You’ve Been Injured – Dangerous Weather Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured, don’t wait to contact Moxie Law Group. At Moxie Law Group, we give clients a free consultation to help clients determine whether or not it would be in the best interest of the injured party to file a claim.