Winter Driving Safety Tips

Winter is a dangerous time – ice, snow, and sleet make for hazardous driving conditions that often lead to car accidents.

If you’ve been injured by a winter weather risk like an isolated ice patch or an uncleared roadway, contact our law firm today. The sooner you get in touch with us, the sooner we can begin to gather evidence and build your case. Get started right now by taking advantage of our free legal evaluation directly to the right of this page.

Safety Tips and Car Accident Prevention for Winter Weather Driving

Check out these general winter driving safety tips to help you avoid a serious car accident:

• Winterize your car by preparing it for the harsh, cold weather.
• Keep your lights and your windshield clean and clear of snow.
• Turn on your headlights so your car is visibile to other drivers, even in daylight.
• Reduce your speed and leave plenty of room to stop.
• Break gently to avoid skidding or sliding.
• Don’t use overdrive or cruise control on icy roads.
• Use low gears to maintain traction, especially on steep hills.
• Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks — they have limited visibility and may not be able to see you.
• Remember that bridges and overpasses freeze up first. Use extra caution – there are many bridges and overpasses in southwestern Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.

If your rear tires skid:

• Take your foot off of the accelerator.
• Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go.
• If your rear tires are skidding to the left, steer left to regain control.
• If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
• If you have anti-lock brakes, apply steady pressure.
• Don’t worry if you feel your anti-lock brakes pulse – this is normal.

What to do if your front tires skid:

• Take your food off the gas and shift to neutral.
• Don’t try to steer immediately.
• As the wheels skid and the vehicle slows, steer in the direction you want to go.
• At this point you can put the vehicle back into "drive" and gently accelerate.

What to do if you get stuck in the snow:

• Don’t spin your wheels, it will only dig you in deeper.
• With a shovel, clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
• Turn your wheels from side to side to push snow out of the way.
• Use a light touch on the gas to ease your car out.
• Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel, or salt in the path of the wheels.
• Try putting your vehicle in a lower gear — it may help.

What to do if you become stranded:

• Don’t leave your car unless you know where you are or where help can be found.
• To attract attention:
• Light two flares and place one at each end of the car.
• Hang a bright cloth from your antenna.
• Run the engine and heater for 10 minutes every hour.
• Keep at least one window cracked since snow and ice can seal a car shut.