Safe Driving in Ice and Snow
Fortunately for Texas, most of the state is spared from severe winter weather. Even so, there are always a few days each year when ice and snow builds up on local roadways. While these driving conditions never last very long, they are so rare that many Texas motorists aren’t prepared for them.
Winter Driving Tips
Traffic accidents tend to spike on winter weather days. Here are some safety tips for driving on snow and ice:
- Don’t tailgate. When the roads are icy or if there is snow, drivers should stay 10 seconds behind the vehicle in front.
- Go slowly. Accelerating too fast or slamming on the brakes in bad weather causes many drivers to lose control, so avoid any sudden starts and stops.
- Don’t drive into a skid. Instead, remove your foot from the accelerator, hold the wheel loosely, and steer in the direction you want to go.
- Follow the leader. The tracks left by the vehicle ahead of you are drier than the surrounding pavement, so driving in them will provide better traction.
- Use extra care on bridges. Be particularly careful when driving on bridges, overpasses, and streets shaded by buildings or trees. In frigid temperatures, these areas tend to be the first to freeze and the last to thaw out.
- Improve your visibility. Clean your windows and lights, and check your windshield wipers to ensure that they are in good working order. Use your low beam headlights to improve your own visibility and to help other drivers see you.
Be Prepared
Don’t get caught unprepared when you wake up on a glistening winter morning. Bookmark this page on your smartphone or print it out and keep a copy in your vehicle to refresh your memory when you need it the most. If you’ve been injured in a winter driving accident, you need an experienced attorney to help you receive the compensation you deserve. To learn more, contact the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., by clicking the Live Chat button on this page.