Please be mindful that driving in the winter in the northeast can be especially hazardous because of precipitation and cold weather.
To avoid unnecessary risks, drivers should be mindful of the following:
– Gentle on the gas pedal. Always accelerate and decelerate slowly when driving on snow and icy roads. Pressing gently on the gas pedal gives your tires a better opportunity to gain traction and avoid skidding. This tip is especially important when driving up hills. Believe it or not, it is much more effective to drive slowly up a hill in the winter than attempting to “power up” the hill.
– Be mindful of your brakes. Try to avoid slamming on your brakes in the winter, especially in snow and ice.
– Keep your distance. Ordinarily, you want to give yourself between 3-4 seconds of distance between you and the driver in front of you. In the winter, double that distance. This extended distance will give you plenty of time to stop if the car in front of you encounters an obstacle.
– Keep Extra Windshield Washer Fluid. Nothing is worse than running out of wiper fluid on a day when snow, rain, and slush is being constantly sprayed onto your windshield. Always keep a spare bottle in your trunk, and make sure you know where and how to fill up the tank under the hood.
When the temperature drops, your car will behave differently than when it is warm. Make sure you are ready and safe before the temperature drops and keep the following in mind:
– Stock your car. Keep an ice scraper, jumper cables, windshield washer fluid, and a flashlight in your vehicle at all times.
– Check your battery. Batteries will drop in power when the temperature drops. Make sure to have yours checked when you can to insure it will last through the winter. In the event your battery dies, keep jumper cables in your vehicle just in case.
– Inspect your tires. Tires will deflate when the cold weather hits. Be ready. Check out safecar.gov for tire ratings if you plan on purchasing new tires. It is also best practice to inspect your tires at least once a month, and make sure they are properly and adequately inflated.
– Check your cooling system. In the winter, when coolant freezes in your engine, it also expands. Expanding coolant can mean bad things for your engine block. Make sure you put proper coolant in your vehicle that can withstand cold temperatures, and have a mechanic thoroughly check your system for leaks.
At LaMarche Safranko Law, we want our readers to be safe, which is why we frequently publish blogs regarding pedestrian and driver safety. No matter how safe and informed you are, accidents can still happen. If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, you may have a right to file a claim and seek compensation for the harms and losses suffered. Attorneys at LaMarche Safranko Law represent those who suffer lost wages, and physical and emotional harm because of a crash.