There’s no doubt that the winter season is everyone’s favorite time of the year. After all, it’s that time which is tied up with the festive atmosphere of the holidays. Christmas is just not complete without snow.
But winter isn’t always about fun and joy. As much as snow offers many a great way to enjoy the season, it can also bring a great deal of risk. One thing’s for sure, at least 24 percent of road-related accidents happen during the cold season when icy roads and heavy snowfall can raise the risk factor significantly.
As a motorist, it’s best for you to focus more on keeping yourself safe while driving on winter roads. Here are four ways to make sure you stay protected from anything that can happen.
- Prep your vehicle
Snow and sleet can affect your car’s performance. Moreover, the cold can make conditions much worse if your car isn’t prepared for winter. When it comes right down to keeping your vehicle efficient and accident-proof, regular checkups are a must.
Start with the engine. Now, it’s important to make sure that your radiator and coolant are well-regulated. For this, you will need to determine the right coolant that won’t let your engine freeze over. You may also consider adding more antifreeze to give your engine extra protection, especially in sub-zero temperatures.
- Get the right tires
When it comes to maneuvering through icy roads and avoiding a collision, your choice of tires is essential. One thing’s for sure, you will need to have a set of tires that can give you extra stability when you’re cruising down icy highways. It can get slippery out there, and winter tires are highly recommended. If you don’t have a set of these lying around, make sure you choose tires that are extra durable, allowing for extra stopping power.
It’s also good practice to check your tire pressure regularly, regardless of what type of tires you have, and try to practice your braking in an empty parking lot. You will also need to train yourself to make sharp turns and skids to avoid barriers.
- Check weather conditions before heading out
The best way to avoid an accident is to check the weather before you even consider driving out there. Considering that weather patterns change drastically, it’s important to stay extra vigilant.
For this, regularly check the news for weather updates you should know about. Pay close attention to the temperature and see if it has reached zero or sub-zero conditions. Traffic advisories are also essential. If there are any maintenance works up ahead, then you need to know so you can find an alternative route.
- Get expert legal advice
Given that anything that can happen will happen along icy winter roads, you may still find yourself in a collision one way or another. However, if you think you have done enough to keep yourself safe, then you may as well have the other party to thank for it. You will need a good car accident lawyer along these lines.
If you happen to be in Colorado, where the cold can get extreme during winter, check out these car accident resources to keep yourself informed about getting claims for collision-related injuries.
