Tips for Safely Navigating Winter Roads
The holiday season can be synonymous with traveling, as millions of Americans commute to their holiday celebrations each year. This year, transportation officials expect that:
- At least 98 million people will be traveling to and from their holiday festivities this year.
- About 9 in every 10 of these holiday commuters will be driving.
- The average holiday driving commute will be around 270 miles.
If you will getting behind the wheel this year to drive to your holiday festivities, here’s what to keep in mind in order to stay safe during your travels and minimize the possibility of car crash:
- Make sure you are prepared to be a safe driver – Prepared motorists are those who are rested (i.e., not drowsy), sober and ready to pay attention to the task of driving. These three factors can help make drivers as alert and responsive as possible, which can be the key to avoid a crash when other motorists may be less than careful on the roads and/or when the road conditions may be especially adverse.
- Put a winter safety kit in your vehicle – Keep it either in the trunk of your vehicle (if you can get to the trunk from the cabin) or in the cabin (if trunk access from the cabin is not available). These kits can be essential following a crash or breakdown.
- Check your route and the weather before the trip – And don’t put yourself (and your loved ones who may be traveling with you) at risk if the weather/road conditions are especially challenging or dangerous.
- Decrease your speeds & increase your following room – Drive between 5 and 10 mph slower and slow down your accelerating/decelerating, especially if it is (or has recently been) raining, snowing, etc. Also, be sure to at least double the room you leave between your vehicle and vehicles you follow. This combination of tips can help you maintain control of your vehicle (optimizing traction) while ensuring you have sufficient stopping room if or when needed.
- Be prepared for black ice – In other words, know how to spot it and how to handle your vehicle if you end up having to traverse it. Generally, it’s wise to expect black ice when the temperatures outside are freezing and there’s moisture in the air.
- Keep your plans as flexible as possible – Give yourself some leeway on when you leave for your trip, especially if the weather conditions are really bad around your scheduled departure time. Waiting until the weather is clear to get on the road can go a long way to keep you safe in your holiday travels.
Contact a Denver Car Accident Lawyer at Cederberg Law
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident – or if you have lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident, contact a Denver car accident lawyer at Cederberg Law by calling us at 303-499-0449 or by emailing us using the form at the side of the screen.
In addition to offering free initial consults and contingency fee options, our lawyers make hospital visits to ensure that you have access to the legal support you need – whenever you need it.
