Whether you are a new driver or consider yourself a pro, driving in sleek winters can be dangerous and catch you by surprise at any time. Driving in unsafe weather conditions can also lead to many car accidents, which may lead you to think, “is there a car accident attorney near me?” However, it is better to avoid getting in an accident in the first place, which is why you should follow these tips for driving safely in the winter.
Keep a winter driving kit.
If you can’t help driving in the winter, you may want to pack and keep a winter driving kit. This kit can include, but is not limited to:
- Snow shovels, traction mats, and a bag of abrasive materials such as sand or salt
- Liquid for washing windows and an ice scraper
- Booster cables
- Warning flares or triangles
- A flashlight
- Your cell phone and a charger or a power bank
- Extra set of gloves and blankets
- Emergency food supplies
What should you do in an emergency?
If there is an emergency that has caused your car to stop, it is important to stay calm and follow these steps:
- Stay with your car and stay focused on yourself and the other passengers. Do not overexert yourself.
- Make sure your car is visible. Keep warning flares or bright markers on your car, the windows, or the antenna. Keep the lights on.
- Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. You may need to run your car to keep warm, but only do so sporadically, and do not run your car for long instances of time with the windows closed.
Some tips for driving safely in winter:
- Decrease your speed and drive slowly
- Plan ahead. Give yourself enough time to react to situations to drive without stress.
- Anticipate that an emergency can happen anytime, and always be prepared.
- Leave space between your car and the cars in front of you, just in case an emergency occurs.
- Make sure that your car is visible. Keep your headlights on, use turn signals, avoid blind spots and put bright markers on your car if possible.
What to do if harsh weather conditions cause a car accident?
While staying home when the weather is not fit for driving in is advisable, sometimes one just cannot help it. If the harsh weather conditions have led to a car accident, you should immediately talk to an experienced car accident attorney. An attorney would be able to give you legal advice about what you should do next.