It may be obvious to state that fog, snow, ice, and rain are all pretty significant driving safety hazards, so winter driving can get pretty messy if you don’t take the proper care and precautions.
Knowing the dangers that come with winter-months driving can’t guarantee you won’t be involved in an accident, but it will definitely give you some insight on how to reduce your risk of it.
Today we’re going to tell you some great winter driving safety tips and some statistics and facts that may be surprising.
Winter Driving Safety Tips
Northglenn personal injury attorneys see a lot of action during the winter months due to the erratic Colorado weather because winter offers driving hazards that the summer/fall/spring don’t, let’s discuss safety tips that will help prevent accidents.
Get your vehicle winter-ready
- Use snow tires for the best results, but if you have all-season tires, that’s okay, too
- Be sure your tires are inflated properly and their tread is in good shape
- Check your battery
- Never go below half a tank of gas
- Use winterized window washer fluid so it won’t freeze
- Keep winter essentials in your vehicle: flashlights, blankets, glass scrapers, water and food, an extra set of clothes, and medications
Take caution when driving
- Keep an eye on your speed, you don’t need to go the speed limit when the weather is bad, maintain a smart speed that you’re comfortable with (usually around 50% lower speed than you’d typically drive)
- Steer clear of cruise control on icy roads
- Accelerate slowly to help with skidding and brake slowly to help with sliding and wheel-locking
- Don’t tailgate, leave 3-5 car lengths of room between you and the car in front of you so you have ample stopping time should the front vehicle get into trouble
- If your vehicle has antilock brakes (ABS), use steady pressure on the brake pedal, if you don’t have ABS, pump the brake pedal to keep the wheels from locking
Extra winter driving insurance
If you’re feeling insecure about driving during the turbulent Colorado winter conditions, you may want to contact your insurance company and ask about adding to your current car insurance plan.
There are two specific types of insurance to ask about: collision and comprehensive. Neither are required by law (unless you lease or have a car loan), but they will provide the assurance you’re looking for if winter driving has you feeling uneasy.
Both types of car insurance will cover damage no matter who is at fault or if fault cannot be determined.
- Collision car insurance: this pays for the car damage caused by a collision, so if your vehicle hits another vehicle or object, or if it rolls, you’ll be covered.
- Comprehensive car insurance: this offers coverage on damage not caused by a collision, so if your car is vandalized or damaged by severe weather such as hail, you’ll be covered.
These tips will help you when you’re driving throughout the winter season. Remember to stay alert and be prepared—knowing the weather forecast and having everything you’ll need in order to drive safely and smartly.
Winter Driving Stats and Facts
Here are some quick statistics and facts about winter driving:
- Nearly 2000 people die annually due to snow and icy road conditions (Icy Road Safety)
- There are over 155,000 crashes annually due to icy road conditions (The Federal Highway Administration)
- Annually, about 76,000 people are injured in a traffic accident during snowfall (The Federal Highway Administration)
- Around 70% of accidental deaths that happen during the winter season happen in cars (The Zebra)
The Takeaway
When road and visibility conditions are hampered during the winter months, it’s important to stay focused and keep safety at the forefront. Winter driving is no joke and being cautious can save a life.
Our Colorado weather can be a bit erratic, at Hull & Zimmerman we want our clients to be smart out there during these upcoming months. If you have any questions about a car accident you’ve been involved in, give us a call and let us help. Stay safe!
CONTACT HULL & ZIMMERMAN:
If you or someone you love has been injured in any type of accident in Northglenn, Thornton, or anywhere in Colorado, and you believe someone else’s negligence is to blame, it is important to contact our experienced personal injury attorneys immediately. At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., our committed personal injury lawyers are dedicated to the belief that everyone deserves justice. Contact us at (303) 423-1770 or (866) 385-3505. You can also find us online at www.hullandzimmerman.com.
