Car Accident Safety Tips For Winter
Winter season is here which means Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays are close by. While, we have made a blog regarding car accidents during holiday season, and yes it is true that car accident do increase at this time, the same does not apply when you’re just analyzing car accidents during the winter. Why is it not the same? Holiday season refers to the festive days which can include the days prior or shortly after. These days where everyone is traveling on the road, everyone is stressed out to get all the preparations ready, people naturally sleep less, and adults are occasionally drinking alcohol. That does not mean that the entire winter season is like this. However, winter season can still be dangerous and precautions must be taken to reduce the risks of being involved in an accident. We are here to give you our top car accident safety tips for winter. Remember, if you suffered an accident this winter season, you may be eligible to receive a compensation. Our team of dedicated Clinton personal injury attorneys are here to help, and it all starts with something so simple as a phone call. All you have to do is reach out, and our team will do the rest by asking you a few questions to see if you have a case. Should you have a case, the process at Malloy Law Offices was made simple and straightforward so all you have to worry about is feeling better. We have the rest covered!
Winter Driving Statistics
Before we get started on tips we recommend you take to minimize risks while driving on the road, we want to share a few facts we believe every American should be aware of when driving during the Winter time. Will these facts decrease your chances of getting involved in an accident? Not necessarily, but we find that knowing how other individuals were impacted can help bring awareness when it comes time to being on the road.
According to the NHTSA,
- More than 70% of the roads in the USA are in snowy regions and 70% of the US population lives in snowy regions.
- 17% vehicle crashes occur during the winter, and an average of 1,836 people die per year due to snowy and icy pavement.
- While 1,836 people die in a crash, the number of annual crashes is actually 156,164 crashes.
- Of those 156,164 crashes, only 116,800 people get injured.
- Every year, about 76,000 people are injured in traffic accidents during snowfall.
- 70% of those accidental fatalities happen inside a car.
Cars Made For Winter Provide More Safety
According to US News & World Report, four-wheel traction systems do help a car get moving in snow and ice as well as provide extra control when making turns. However, they don’t help a vehicle stop much faster than a front- or rear-wheel-drive car.
Is Summer Time Safer?
The answer is no. Summer is actually more dangerous to drive in than winter time. There are many reasons that explain why this is actually true. To begin with, nice weather calls for more time doing activities and less time with “Netflix & Chill”. People in the summer time actually want to go out to and enjoy the nice weather and spend time with family and friends. Once that cold weather kicks in, the couch, a blanket, and pizza sound more appealing. Nice weather, outdoor activities, beach time, school is out, and the long summer break naturally calls for more people on the road. Winter time, the longest break is Christmas time and New Years, unlike summer time. Another reason that often times gets overlooked is the fact that heatstroke’s are one of the leading causes of non-crash related fatalities among US children. According to the NHTSA, temperatures in the mid-60s can cause the inside temperature of a car to rise above 110 degrees Fahrenheit which means the inside temperature of your car can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within the first 10 minutes.
Let’s look at other summer driving statistics:
- August is the deadliest month, and it is followed by the months of July, October, June, and September which interesting enough are not in the winter season.
- 29% more deaths in motor vehicle accidents happen in the summer time.
- Teenage drivers have a higher risk of getting into a crash in July and August, which is easily explained by the long summer break.
- An average of 358 traffic deaths happen during Memorial Day alone.
- Blowouts are at high risk during the summer season
Not to mention that driving in the summer can also be dangerous for seniors. That is because their vision and ability to react fast decreases. Therefore, it goes to show that everyone needs to be cautious on the road, whether during winter, summer, or any other month. The key fact is understanding what we can do to reduce these risks. So what are our top car accident safety tips for winter?
Winter Safety Tips While Driving
One of the biggest things someone can do to be more prepared for driving during the winter (besides the obvious of wearing a seat belt, and not driving under the influence) is having your car prepared in advance. This means making sure your car is fully capable for driving on those icy winter roads. It is super important to check that your tires are properly inflated and have thread, the battery is working, airbags work, making sure the tank is at least half full, and making sure those breaks are ready to go. If there is one thing that you are in doubt about from what was mentioned above, then your car is not fully equipped. Our recommendation is to start checking right away, and making necessary changes if needed.
In regards to the driving itself, here are our top car accident safety tips for winter:
- Adjust your speed to road conditions and weather, as well as respecting speed limits.
- Try your best to avoid driving on days of snow or even worse the day after where everything is frozen. Rainy days after a day of snow should be avoided as well.
- If you have antilock brakes (ABS), you can apply steady pressure to the brake pedal if not then do not pump your brakes to prevent your wheels from locking up.
- Do not tailgate, always keep your distance.
- Should an emergency appear on the road or traffic is coming to a sharp stop let the people behind you know but slowly decreasing speed and putting your hazard lights on.
- Do not drive under the influence or if you are tired.
Contact Malloy Law Offices
Contact us if you suffered an accident, we are here and we have all gone through it before. Having more than 15+ years of experience, means we know how to make the process as easy as possible for you so you only have to worry about recovering and getting back to your normal life, we take care of the rest. Have questions? Call us today for a free consultation at (202)-464-0727.