The snow just doesn’t seem to stop, and as we make our way through winter, the storms seem to be getting worse here in Utah. With feet of snow plaguing our roads, it’s important for drivers to remember that they should be taking the necessary steps to traverse the icy, snowy streets safely. While Utahns are used to these conditions, that doesn’t mean that they don’t pose a significant threat to the well-being of the drivers on the road.
From knowing how to avoid spinouts to proper vehicle maintenance, there are several tips that you should follow if you are wanting to avoid making a call to your car accident lawyer or personal injury lawyer. Here are just some of the things that you should do when making your way out into the icy Utah roads.
Note: It is advised that you stay off the roads as much as possible when the weather is too extreme. If you absolutely need to drive during a storm for work reasons, these tips are meant to help reduce the risks of an auto accident or fatality.
Leave Your Home Earlier
People tend to get in most accidents when they are in a rush. Time constraints lead to poor judgment and can result in a car accident. When there is a terrible storm, you should plan your trip for the following day as best as possible to ensure that you aren’t running late and putting yourself (as well as others) at risk for said reason. If possible, get up earlier, wipe your car off, defrost your windows and leave your home earlier than you think may be necessary. Traffic and reduced speeds are going to add more time to your commute, so don’t treat your schedule the same as any other day.
Drive Cautiously, Reduce Your Speed
A car accident lawyer may tell you that most accidents in the winter are a byproduct of a driver’s failure to drive slowly and cautiously. When there is snow and ice on the roads, you’re going to have less control of your vehicle, especially if you don’t have good tires or own a four-wheel drive. It is best to drive slow enough to maintain adequate control of your vehicle.
Maintain a Safe Following Distance
Along with driving cautiously, you should also maintain a safe following distance around other drivers. Snow and ice make it harder for vehicles to stop properly, so if you’re following too close, you could find yourself sliding into and rear-ending another vehicle.
Don’t Brake on Turns
Turning during extremely snowy conditions can be daunting, and the intimidation that comes with it leads to one common mistake among drivers: braking during a turn. When you brake during a turn, there is barely any traction and you can cause your tires to lock and your tires to slide on the icy roads. In the event of this happening, you put yourself at risk of a spinout, which can be devastating if there are other cars around.
Snowy conditions pose various threats to drivers, and if you don’t take the necessary precautions, you can find yourself on the bad end of an auto accident. If you need legal representation after an accident this winter, contact a car accident lawyer or personal injury lawyer at Robert J. DeBry and Associates. We can help you get the compensation that you deserve for any damages and injuries.