Safety Precautions for Winter Driving

As temperatures drop during the winter months, snow, ice, and extreme cold can make driving conditions extremely hazardous. Winter weather puts motorists at a much higher risk of serious car accidents. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), over 1,300 people are fatally injured in accidents caused by snowy or icy road conditions. If you cannot avoid traveling during a winter storm, it is imperative that you take the appropriate safety precautions before hitting the road.

Have Your Car Serviced

To prepare for the ice, snow, and cold, it is a good idea to have a qualified mechanic make sure that your vehicle is in good working order and ready for the winter. It is recommended that any necessary repairs be made before driving during the winter months and that the following systems are checked:

• Ignition
• Brakes
• Battery
• Headlights
• Hoses and fan belts
• Tire wear and air pressure
• Antifreeze level and freeze line
• Air, fuel, and emissions filters and PVC valve

AAA Driving Tips

Even if you have checked the weather report, a storm can sneak up on you when you least expect it, so it helps to know how to react if you hit a patch of ice, or begin sliding toward another vehicle. The following are winter driving tips from AAA:

• Do not mix radial tires with other types of tires
• Avoid using cruise control during inclement weather
• Increase your following distance
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly
• Steer into the direction you want to go
• Keep your gas tank at least half-full
• Do not stop or slow down when going up a hill
• If you get stranded, do not attempt to push your car out of the snow
• Alert other drivers that you are in distress by tying a brightly colored piece of cloth to the antenna

Keep an Emergency Kit in the Car

In case of an emergency, the National Safety Council recommends that you have the following items in the car anytime you drive during the winter:

• First aid kit
• Blankets, extra socks, mittens
• Bag of salt or kitty litter to help melt snow or ice for better tire traction
• Tool kit
• Non-perishable foods like nuts, dried fruits, and hard candy
• Plenty of water
• Jumper cables
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Ice scraper
• Reflective triangles
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Phone charger
• Shovel
• Spare tire, wheel wrench, and tripod jack

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Winter Weather Car Accidents

If you have been injured in a car accident due to poor winter weather conditions, contact a Baltimore car accident lawyer at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. Even if the accident was weather-related, the person who hit you may still be held liable for your injuries for negligent behavior. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.