Winter is right around the corner. As ice and snow will inevitably accumulate on the roadways, it is important you drive your motor vehicle in a prudent and safe manner to ensure the safety of yourself and others on the road.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 17 percent of all motor vehicle crashes happen during the winter. Moreover, the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administrationhas stated “[o]ver 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement annually. Every year, nearly, 900 people are killed and nearly 76,000 people are injured in vehicle crashes during snowfall or sleet.” Those statistics alone should let you know the importance of taking extra precautionary measures when you are operating your motor vehicle during the winter months. The following are a few steps that you can take to make sure you are being as safe as possible when you operate your motor vehicle during the winter months.
The first step you can take to ensure the safety of yourself occurs before you even operate your vehicle. It is crucial you make sure that your vehicle is working properly. Taking a little extra time to check that your motor vehicle’s lights are working, that it has sufficient battery and that the tires are at a proper pressure can make all the difference when driving during the winter. Moreover, make sure your windshield wipers are working properly to ensure you can maintain a clear view of the roadway as you travel.
Next, you should drive defensively. There is never a need to drive at an excessive rate of speed, but you should definitely not do so during the winter. It is already difficult driving a motor vehicle in the snow, but it is even harder to do so when you are not driving in a defensive manner. You can only control your own driving conduct. Because others may not be driving as safely as they should, it is paramount you survey your surroundings and drive in a manner that allows you to prudently react to others driving on the roads.
Lastly, make sure you know where you are going before getting into your vehicle. Knowing where to go and the route you are going to take can help you feel confident behind the wheel in the winter. By understanding the route you are going to take can help you avoid any abrupt stops and turns. This can help you evade high traffic areas that are conducive to motor vehicle collisions.
The above tips are a few of many precautions you can take to make sure you are safe during the winter months. Driving your motor vehicle in the winter is different than driving your vehicle in any other season. For more winter driving safety tips, check out the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
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