15 Tips for Driving Safely This Winter

15 Tips for Driving Safely This Winter

 

Winter driving comes with a special set of challenges. Inclement weather conditions, record numbers of travelers, and drivers with too much on their minds can make for a risky combination during the winter months. If you’re heading out into the holiday or new-year rush, the Paullin Law Firm recommends following these tips to stay safe on the roads.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME:

Perform a winter vehicle maintenance check:

  • Are your tires properly inflated?
  • Are your windshield wipers effective (not leaving streaks on your window)?
  • Are your headlights clean, cleared of any snow and built-up grime?

Keep your gas tank at least half-full to avoid a gas line freeze-up or roadside breakdown.

Stay focused on the road:

  • Avoid driving while you’re fatigued.
  • Resist the urge to multitask. Your shopping list, phone calls, and especially any text messages can wait.
  • Don’t try to take off your coat while driving!

And, of course, always wear your seat belt.

ON THE ROAD:

Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface, including snowy, icy, or even rainy pavement.

Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads: accelerating, braking, stopping, turning. Allow your tires to maintain traction by driving slowly and avoiding sudden movements.

On normal, dry pavement, the recommended safe following distance is 3-4 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. In cold or snowy weather, this margin of safety should be increased to 8-10 seconds to account for slower braking and stopping.

In snow or ice, be cautious on hills. Don’t stop while driving up a hill if you can avoid it, as your vehicle may get stuck or skid. Proceed down hills slowly so you don’t accelerate to an unsafe speed and lose control.

Don’t tempt fate. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. If you don’t have somewhere you need to be, enjoy the snow from home.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you have enough to worry about. An experienced attorney can help you recover the costs of treating injuries, repairing your vehicle, and the value it lost as a result of the wreck. If you were injured in an accident through no fault of your own, contact Attorney Mark Paullin at the Paullin Law Firm, PC at 804-423-7423.

Sources: AAA | SafeWinterRoads | Wikimedia Commons

 

The Paullin Law Firm, PC is a Richmond, VA Personal Injury and General Law Practice handling, a range of matters including, Auto and Truck Accident cases, Auto Diminished Value cases, Speeding, Reckless Driving, DUI, other traffic matters, civil litigation and more.  Attorney Mark Paullin has practiced law for over 31 years and is equipped with the experience, knowledge and tenacity to help you with your case and helps individuals as well as corporate clients. The Paullin Law Firm is a general law practice with a world of experience and a person-centered approach.  The Paullin Law Firm is located near the Johnston-Willis Hospital campus.  For more information call Mark Paullin at the Paullin Law Firm today at 804-423-7423.



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