With the holidays upon us, it’s time to celebrate with families and loved ones! The holidays and winter months mean even more people will be on the roads and potentially even traveling in unfamiliar places. This can increase your chances of a car accident which may eventually lead to car accident injuries. To keep yourself and others safe on the road, you want to practice these helpful winter driving tips for car accident prevention. These driving tips for the winter months can help you stay safe and know how to anticipate potential issues and hazards on the roads this holiday season.
7 Winter Driving Tips for the Holiday Season and Beyond
Help manage the stress of holiday travel by taking time to plan ahead for holiday driving and winter weather. Here are seven winter driving tips to help you keep yourself and others around you safe from car accidents this holiday season and beyond.
Get Your Car Serviced
Make sure your car is in good condition before the winter weather sets in. Take your car for regular tune-ups and oil changes to ensure everything is working properly. Check with your mechanic about the health of your brakes, the air in your tires, and any other items that could result in unexpected issues on the road. If you are traveling to places with snow and ice, then check out options for winterizing your vehicle and stock your car with an emergency kit, just in case.
Confirm Your Car Insurance Coverage
It’s always a good idea to confirm your car insurance coverage before the craziness of the holiday season begins. Check with your insurance agent to review all your car accident coverage options just in case you end up dealing with an unexpected accident. This can also help give you peace of mind by knowing that you have the right protections in place in the unfortunate event of a car accident.
Plan Your Travel Times
Holiday travel rarely goes as planned, thanks to more cars on the road, unexpected traffic, and the anticipation of getting where you need to go. Try to pad your travel time, so you don’t find yourself rushing in heavy traffic or bad weather. Instead, add buffer time to your travel plans and anticipate a few more pit stops along the way to your destination.
Avoid Driving in Winter Weather Events
Always try to avoid driving in winter weather events if you can manage it. While everyone wants to see their loved ones for the holidays, you also want to stay safe, and sometimes that can mean staying off the roads. If you are visiting an unfamiliar area or are not used to driving in certain types of winter weather, you could be at greater risk for an unfortunate accident.
Refresh Your Black Ice Knowledge
Black ice takes even the most seasoned winter weather drivers by surprise each year. Black ice refers to a thin layer of ice that can develop on roadways, bridges, and overpasses that can be difficult to see. Sometimes black ice can simply look like a shinier patch of roadway, or you might not see it at all until you drive across it. Black ice can cause you to lose control of your vehicle as the tires lose traction on this slippery surface.
Stay Safe by Avoiding Distractions
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents, no matter what time of year. Avoid texting and driving or fumbling around with your phone or other objects in the car while you’re at the wheel. If the weather is particularly bad and you need to focus extra hard, then ask your passengers to stay quiet so you can focus on the task at hand. When driving to a new place, always review the directions ahead of time and use a road trip app to help plan your route.
Assign a Designated Driver
Holiday celebrations can include festive alcoholic drinks that may impair your driving abilities. Even after a small glass of holiday punch or eggnog, it’s best to assign a designated driver who has a clear head and can focus on the drive ahead.
5 Types of Winter Weather to Watch Out for on the Roads
Depending on where you live, some winter weather events can take you by surprise. Here are five types of winter weather to watch out for if you’re on the roads this holiday season and during the cold months ahead.
Frost
Just like dew in the warmer months, a thin layer of moisture can settle over walkways, cars, and lawns and turn to frost in colder months. You might notice a slight crunching sound while walking to your car or notice your door handle takes a bit of extra effort when you pull it. These are all signs that you should take extra caution when getting behind the wheel.
Ice
Whether it rained the night before or water pooled in areas along the roadways, this moisture can freeze in cold temperatures and turn to ice. If there’s ice on the roads, your car’s tires may have difficulty getting traction and can end up slipping or sliding, putting you at risk for a car accident.
Snow
A snowfall is such a beautiful sight to behold, but it can also be stressful if you’re behind the wheel when it happens. Like heavy rain, snow can obscure your view of what’s going on around you and on the road. Snow can reduce visibility, and if the temperatures are cold enough, it can start to accumulate and create more roadway hazards.
Slush
When the snow starts to melt, it can turn to slush, which is a watery mixture of snow and ice. Slush makes the roadways wet and makes driving in winter weather more challenging.
Black Ice
As mentioned before, black ice is a serious road hazard during winter weather events. Bridges and overpasses can also become iced over before roadways, so you might find that an asphalt-covered road seems free of ice and find yourself in a tricky situation.
How to Prevent a Car Accident in Winter Weather
One of the best ways to prevent a car accident in winter weather is to avoid getting on the roads at all! However, if you have to drive to work or need to pick the kids up from school, here are some suggestions to help you prevent a car accident in winter weather.
Slow Down
Always drive slowly during winter weather events. Even if it’s simply raining, you want to drive slower than you normally would. If you are going too fast, you won’t have as much time to react to a tricky situation. Going too fast can also result in a more serious car accident that involves multiple vehicles if you lose control of the car.
Use Your Headlights
Turn your headlights on even during the day to help improve visibility for yourself as the driver and for other cars on the road. When using your headlights, you can also help other drivers see your vehicle and avoid a potential collision. Always use your blinkers to indicate any upcoming turns you make well in advance, so other drivers are alerted to your movements.
Carefully Use Your Brakes
When driving over slick roads with ice, snow, or other potential hazards, you always want to be careful when you use your brakes. If you hit the brakes too hard, it can cause the tires to lose traction on slippery surfaces and result in an accident. Instead, tap your brakes gently and come to a slow stop before you completely press the brake pedal.
Keep Your Distance
Maintain a greater distance than you normally would while around other cars on the roads. This can work in your favor if an accident or event occurs ahead and other cars in front of you need to brake or stop suddenly. This gives you more time to react and get to safety.
Stay Alert
Always stay alert while driving, especially in winter weather or in conditions you are not used to driving in. Keep your passengers and others on the road safer by avoiding common distractions like texting, adjusting the radio, or eating while you drive. If your car has Bluetooth or other advanced technologies, make sure you pair your phone before you hit the road so you can enjoy hands-free use for a safer experience.
Where to Get Quality Car Accident Injury Care
If you do end up in a car accident this winter season, make sure you get quality car accident injury care at AICA Orthopedics in Tucker. Our team of car accident doctors will provide you with a thorough examination to check for any possible injuries after an accident. Tucker car accident doctors at AICA include orthopedic doctors, physical therapists, neurologists, and chiropractors who work together to provide you with personalized treatment and comprehensive care. Visit AICA Orthopedics in Tucker for a one-stop shop for all your car accident injury needs and experience firsthand why our car accident doctors are trusted with the Tucker community.