Winter Driving Safety Tips

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), over 70 percent of the nation’s roads are located in snowy regions that receive more than five inches of average snowfall every year. Nearly 70 percent of the U.S. population lives in these snowy regions. Snow and ice reduce pavement friction, compromise vehicle maneuverability, reduce roadway capacity, and increase the risk of accidents. Average speeds on arterial roads decline by 30 to 40 percent on snowy or slushy pavement. Freeway speeds are reduced by three to 13 percent in light snow and by five to 40 percent in heavy snow. Heavy snow and sleet can also reduce visibility, as lanes and roadways are obstructed by snow accumulation.

24 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement and 15 percent happen during snowfall or sleet every year. Over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement each year. 

Even more alarming, nearly 900 people are killed and nearly 76,000 people are injured in vehicle crashes during snowfall or sleet every year. Snow and ice increase road maintenance costs, and state and local agencies spend more than 2.3 billion dollars on snow and ice control operations annually. This doesn’t even account for the millions of dollars spent to repair infrastructure damage caused by snow and ice.

If you have suffered a personal injury in an accident caused by wintery conditions, contact an Allentown car accident lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis to see what kind of compensation you are entitled to.

Safety Tips for Winter Driving

Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter Driving

• Check your battery frequently. Battery power drops as temperature drops.
• Check your tire pressure frequently. Tire pressure also drops as the temperature drops.
• Use winter tires with a deeper, more flexible tread. Do not drive on worn-down tires of any sort.
• Make sure the cooling system is in good working order.
• Check your wiper blades. Replace if necessary.
• Use wiper fluid rated for -30 degrees.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full. This helps prevent gas line freeze.
• As always, wear a seatbelt. When all else fails this may save your life.
• As always, do not drive distracted or impaired.

Avoiding Accidents

• Avoid using cruise control.
• Turn into a skid, so you can regain traction without overcorrecting to stay in your lane.
• Drive and stop slowly, and increase your following distance to eight to ten seconds.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly.
• If at all possible, don’t stop when going uphill.

Contact an Allentown Car Accident Lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis for More Information

An Allentown car accident lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis can help you sort through the complex maze of insurance and be sure your insurance company is paying out everything you are entitled to. We understand the law and can help you with all aspects of your claim. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing until you recover, and offer a free consultation. Contact us for further information.