Cold weather can mean dangerous driving conditions. Whether there’s rain, ice, sleet or snow, extreme winter weather can certainly put a damper on travel plans. If you do need to be on the roads, keep these 5 tips in mind for staying safe behind the wheel this winter.
1. Get your vehicle ready.
Before you head out, make sure your vehicle is ready for anything. Check the battery, tire pressure and tread, as well as the coolant and wipers. Be sure that your headlights and taillights are working properly and shining bright. Giving your vehicle a routine checkup before getting on the road is a great idea to help ensure a safe drive.
2. Drive slowly.
Driving safely should always be a priority, but in inclement weather it’s even more important to be cautious. Don’t be afraid to pull over if the rain is too heavy to see in front of you. Slamming on your brakes to avoid other cars could cause whiplash. According to Benjamin Sansone, a car accident injury attorney in St. Louis, neck and back pain caused from a car wreck can last for months or even years after the accident, so you want to avoid having to stop quickly if you can.
3. Pack an emergency kit.
Be sure to have jumper cables, flashlights, flares and reflectors in case anything does happen. You’ll also want to pack heavy blankets, coats and hats to keep you warm until help arrives.
4. Watch out for black ice.
Black ice can remain practically invisible, so be particularly aware of driving over bridges where the road freezes quicker. Driving more slowly than normal is always a great idea, particularly when temperatures are below freezing.
5. Beaware of large trucks.
It’s best practice to keep as much distance as possible between you and larger trucks. They may not always be able to see smaller vehicles—particularly in inclement weather. Even if they can see you, it will still take them much more time to stop their vehicle if they need to. With such a heavy load, they run the risk of not being able to slow down fast enough, and they could even jackknife in the middle of the highway.
A Final Note
Keep these 5 tips in mind and stay up to date on weather and road conditions before traveling. Remain as cautious as possible behind the wheel. As Virginia Beach car accident lawyer Robert Haddad explains, many harmful car accidents occur in winter, but many of them can be prevented by careful driving. Be patient, drive slowly and enjoy your time traveling.
Jitender Sharma founder of thenexthint.com. He is a writer, blogger who writes for a variety of online publications. He is also an acclaimed blogger outreach expert and content marketer. He loves writing blogs related to Business, Education, Fashion, Travel, Health and Technology sectors.