Every season inspires unique driving hazards. During the summer months, people have to be aware of the likelihood of more teen drivers out on the streets. In the autumn, precipitation and falling leaves can make it harder for drivers to maintain control of their vehicles.
The winter sees numerous weather-related challenges. Freezing precipitation is particularly hazardous for drivers. Snow, sleet and freezing rain can all make roads dangerously slippery. The four tips below can help Kentucky motorists improve their overall safety on winter roads.
Leave more time for travel
In order to drive safely when roads are slick by slowing down and leaving more space, people have to allocate more time for their morning commutes. Choosing to wake up a bit earlier to check road conditions can help people avoid scenarios in which they have to choose between driving at unsafe speeds and showing up late to work or an important appointment.
Know how to handle a loss of traction
It’s easy for people to panic if they hit black ice or a particularly slick section of road. Drivers make the mistake of slamming on their brakes or trying to yank the vehicle out of a spin by steering in the opposite direction. While it may seem counterintuitive, safety experts recommend turning into a skid or spin. When a driver loses control, turning the wheel with the movement of the vehicle can reduce the likelihood of a rollover and can increase how quickly the driver regains control of the vehicle.
Prepare for going off the road
People can end up in ditches because they lose control or have to swerve to avoid an obstacle. Going off the road in winter weather can be especially dangerous, as people may have to wait hours for roadside assistance. Having warm blankets, spare clothing, bottles of water and even flares to ensure visibility during times of snowfall or darkness can help keep people safe as they wait with their disabled vehicles for assistance.
Prioritize maintenance
There are a number of seasonal maintenance tasks that are smart to perform when temperatures start dropping. Drivers may want to switch out their tires or inflate them more than normal to offset cold road temperatures. They may want to replace their wiper blades and routinely top up their fluids. They may also want to make a point of keeping their gas tanks full as much as possible so that they can run their engines if they end up stranded on the roadside for hours.
The right preparation can reduce the likelihood of a serious crash and can help people minimize the consequences of any collision that does occur. Those involved in winter-weather car crashes caused by other motorists may also need to file insurance claims. Seeking compensation from those who aren’t safe on the winter roads can help people replace lost wages, pay for medical care and repair their damaged vehicles.