Winter Driving Safety Tips

While Charlotte stays somewhat warm throughout the year, this area of North Carolina is no stranger to cold temperatures, snow, and ice during the winter. Such weather scenarios make driving during the winter months dangerous. Fortunately, there are a number of winter driving safety tips that can help you keep yourself and others safe this season. If you do sustain an injury in a winter car accident, however, don’t hesitate to reach out to a skilled Charlotte car accident lawyer at Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys.

Call us today at (980) 237-4579, or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation of your case.

How to Stay Safe While Driving This Winter

While you can’t control how other drivers operate their vehicles, you can manage the way you drive. By following a few safety tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of causing a winter car accident:

Slow Down

There’s never a safe time to speed. However, speeding in the winter is particularly dangerous. If you’d like to maintain control of your car on snowy or icy roads, driving slowly is important. Remember that accelerating, stopping, and turning all take longer and are less predictable when the pavement is slippery.

Don’t Depend on Your All-Wheel or Four-Wheel Drive

While all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles may provide you with some traction support in the winter, they are not magic. They cannot help you stop faster than a front or rear-wheel drive car when you hit a patch of ice. Therefore, driving slowly, braking properly, and keeping an eye on other motorists should be on your mind even if you drive an all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle.

Pay Attention to the Weather

If you have plans for a long road trip during the winter, be sure to monitor road and weather conditions. You can do so by checking weather sites or local news stations. In addition, you can sign up for weather alerts and receive text messages about how warm, cold, or icy the roads may be. In the event there is a storm, try to change the dates of your trip or drive a different route so that you spend less time in the snow.

Invest in Winter Tires

Winter tires may be a worthwhile investment if you’re on the road often. Compared to all-season tires, winter tires feature a deeper tread with more biting edges that allow for a better grip in the snow. They can provide you with more control while turning and help you stop faster.

Be Predictable

Refrain from making abrupt stops or direction changes when driving during the winter season. Although unpredictable maneuvers always pose a hazard, they have a higher risk of causing accidents when the roads are covered in snow and ice. As a winter driver, it’s wise to be as predictable as possible.

Practice Safe Driving Techniques

If you’re particularly anxious about driving in the winter, it may be worth your time to practice driving in an empty parking lot or signing up for a driving class. By doing so, you can find out how your car responds to braking on slippery surfaces and enhance your knowledge on other wintertime skills.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Even if you do your part in driving safely this winter, an emergency can still occur. Prepare a winter emergency kit full of blankets, flashlights, jumper cables, a water bottle, snacks, a first aid kit, and emergency lights. While you may not need them, another motorist on the road may benefit from the items in your kit.

Contact a Charlotte Car Accident Lawyer for Help Today

When you drive in the winter, you must remain cautious and practice the above winter driving safety tips to ensure that you, your passengers, and other motorists remain safe. If you suffer from an injury in a winter car accident that was not your fault, contact a Charlotte car accident lawyer at Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys today. We may be able to help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Contact us at (980) 237-4579 today to schedule a free, initial case consultation.