Be Prepared For The Winter Driving Season

A midwest winter and unfavorable road conditions go hand-in-hand. With accidents at every corner, McShane & Brady are here to help.

Weather conditions like snow, heavy rain and fog can reduce visibility. Icy and slick road conditions can cause a typical drive to change in an instant to a fatal or devastating accident. However, when drivers are better-prepared, changing conditions can be less impactful. Here are specific tips on winter driving preparation and safety.

Give Yourself Extra Time

Give yourself plenty of time to maneuver your vehicle by driving slowly and providing yourself enough space and time to react.

Under normal driving conditions, the recommended following distance is three to four seconds. However, on roads covered with snow and ice, this following distance should be increased to eight to ten seconds or more. Giving yourself an increased margin of safety provides you with more stopping distance and more time to react in the event of a slide/accident.

Accelerating and decelerating down slowly helps to retain traction and avoid skidding. When applying the brakes, if the wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake pedal. Also, don’t use the cruise control or overdrive feature on your vehicle when the roads are snow packed or icy. Other driving tips for winter conditions can be found here.

Making Sure Your Car is “Winter Ready”

Battery: When the temperature drops, so does battery power. Have your mechanic check your battery, charging system, and belts, and have them make any necessary repairs or replacements. (Allowing your car to warm up before driving off can help preserve battery life long-term.)

Lights: Check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, and interior lights.

Supplies: Have a blanket, ice scraper, jumper cables, flashlight, and warning devices such as flares and emergency markers.

Tires: Make sure your tires have good treads and are fully inflated to maximize traction on the road.

If you find yourself injured in an accident in this winter, don’t hesitate to reach out to the dedicated personal injury attorneys at McShane & Brady. Our top-rated personal injury attorneys are fully prepared to stand by your side, vigorously championing your rights and fighting for the compensation you deserve. At McShane & Brady we value our clients and work to achieve a favorable outcome! Call today at (816) 888-8010 for consultation at no expense.