Common Causes Of Winter Driving Accidents

0
Common Causes Of Winter Driving Accidents

Each Winter, drivers face hazardous driving conditions. These conditions come in many forms. Today, we will discuss the six most common causes of winter driving accidents and how to avoid them potentially.

Hidden Ice

The number one cause of accidents each Winter is icy the roads. The number of deaths from these accidents is more than triple that of other hazard-related accidents. When ice is on the road, usual safety features like brakes and steering are useless. There is nothing more terrifying than skidding across the ice toward another car, intersection, or barrier and not being able to do a thing. There are two steps to help avoid the dangers of ice on the road.

  • Proper Winter Tires

Tires made for winter driving are essential to keep traction on snow and ice. The best tires for icy roads are studded tires, but a good winter tire with deep tread is enough to do the trick.

  • Outside Temperature

If the temperature outside is thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (zero degrees Celcius) and the roads have been wet from snow or melt, there will probably be ice on the streets. Use caution, slow down, and give plenty of room between you and the person in front of you.

Poor Visibility

When driving in snow or winter fog, visibility can be an issue. If you cannot see more than 100m in front of you, you are in poor visibility. Many accidents happen because drivers can’t see upcoming hazards or pedestrians. Slower speeds will increase the chance of making immediate corrections in the case of an oncoming threat. You can take steps to mitigate those times when visibility is poor. One step is to make sure you have proper functioning wiper blades. Good blades will be up to the challenge when snow and sleet accumulate on your windshield. Another item that people often forget is headlights. When headlights get older, they can grow dim. Dim headlights can make it hard to see in the snow and sleet. Always make sure your headlights are bright and aligned correctly. These two items can help significantly with winter visibility.

Pot Holes & Road Hazards

When the snow and ice melt, the water typically moves off the road. But often, the water finds cracks in the asphalt or concrete and pools there. When temperatures drop, ice expands in these cracks creating larger cracks and holes. Sometimes, hitting a pothole at high speeds can cause significant suspension issues requiring suspension repair. In addition, hitting a pothole or piece of concrete that has broken away can cause someone to lose control of their vehicle. Proper functioning suspension is vital to safe winter driving, allowing drivers to avoid hazards quickly without losing control of the car or truck.

In conclusion, Winter can bring a lot of joy, and most people enjoy the change of seasons. But, Winter is also a dangerous time for driving. So, when heading to grandma’s house for Christmas dinner, watch out for hidden ice, slow down in low visibility situations, and maintain proper suspension for those emergency maneuvers.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here