With colder weather comes different combinations of hazardous driving situations. In Georgia, you can have rain, ice, and snow during the winter months. All three of these can make driving extremely dangerous if you’re not careful. Continue reading to learn more about how to prevent cold weather auto injuries.
In the South specifically, there are three main cold weather hazards that you need to be aware of.
- Daylight Savings Time - When the clocks fall back, your commute to and from work may be in complete darkness. In low visibility, you may miss other hazards that have occurred on the road.
- Freezing Rain - If there is rain in the forecast and the temperatures are below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the rain could freeze and turn into sleet once it hits the ground. The sleet can create a slippery surface on the road that can easily cause accidents.
- Black Ice - A result of freezing rain is black ice. Black ice is clear but does not have any bubbles so it is very difficult to detect it, especially while driving. If you hit a spot while driving, take your foot off the accelerator, do not break, and do not move the steering wheel. Working against the black ice will make the situation worse.
How Car Accidents Happen In The Winter
The main cause of car accidents in winter conditions is a lack of caution about hazardous conditions.
- Driving too fast with snow or ice on the road.
- Being distracted while driving.
- Following the vehicles in front of you too closely so you do not have enough time to brake. When ice is on the road, this can cause your vehicle to slip from an abrupt stop.
- Accelerating too quickly and spinning out.
Car Maintenance
Keeping your car in great shape is one of the key parts of preventing cold-weather car accidents.
- Make sure your tires are in good shape with enough air and enough tread to have traction on the roads.
- Have your brakes checked to make sure they are in good working condition.
- Double-check your windshield wipers to see if they need to be replaced.
- In the winter, use de-icer windshield wiper fluid so it does not freeze inside your vehicle or on your windshield.
Driving Tips
Before leaving the house in the winter, check the weather and road conditions to make sure that you can travel safely. Even if the conditions say it’s safe to drive, be sure to drive with caution.
- Drive at slower speeds to prevent accidents.
- Do not start or stop too quickly since that could cause your car to spin out of control if there is ice on the road.
- Leave extra room between you and the vehicles in front of you to allow space for you to stop slowly and prevent sliding.
- Avoid using cruise control so you can keep control of your vehicle.
No matter how much you prepare to prevent a car accident, there is no guarantee that one will not happen. If you are involved in a car accident and another party is at fault, you may be entitled to compensation and damages. Our attorneys at Hasty Pope are here to represent you in the process of receiving damages so you can focus on recovering. To discuss a potential case, schedule a consultation with us today.