The winter roads are more dangerous than the same streets are during warmer seasons. Accumulated ice and snow can affect a vehicle’s traction, while falling precipitation can affect visibility.
Ice accumulation or frozen road surfaces can make it harder for drivers to quickly maneuver or stop when traffic issues arise near them. Let’s look at two safety tips that can help you avoid road risks during the winter season.
Leave early for work so that you can drive more slowly if necessary
Predicting the weather is notoriously difficult to do. Even the best educated and most experienced meteorologists get it wrong a significant amount of the time. You can’t rely on the weather reports to keep you informed about what road conditions will be like the next day before you go to bed.
It is probably smarter to err on the side of caution by adjusting your daily schedule by 15 to 20 minutes. Waking up a little earlier will give you time if you need to leave earlier. Doing so can allow you to get to get to work on time even if you have to decrease your speed to stay safe on the road.
Even if you drive slowly, give other vehicles more space
Your following distance is the amount of space you leave between your front bumper and the vehicle ahead of you in traffic. The National Safety Council advises that people increase the distance between their vehicle and others on the road substantially during the winter months.
Doing so will give you more time to stop, even if the roads are slippery. Careful winter driving can reduce your risk of causing a crash and can even help you avoid a crash caused by another driver in some cases. If you are involved in a crash, make sure that you seek the compensation you need to cover medical bills and other expenses as well as damages.
