Prepare for Winter with these Safe Driving Tips
With November firmly upon us and the cold winter months around the corner, people living in and around St. Louis can expect to see their fair share of winter weather.
Conditions like freezing temperatures, snow and ice, freezing rain, and wind can wreak havoc on the roads and significantly increase the risk of getting into an accident.
Fortunately, there are concrete steps that you can take to prepare yourself for winter driving. The National Safety Council (NSC) shares the following advice to make sure that you are as safe as possible during the winter months.
Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter Weather
Whether you drive a small car or a heavy-duty truck, you should perform regular maintenance and winterize your vehicle every year. Getting your car ready for winter includes:
- Making sure your battery is in good condition
- Checking your car’s cooling system
- Putting winter tires on your vehicle
- If you have all-season tires, check the tread and replace if necessary
- Check your tire pressure
- Check your wipers and replace them in necessary
- Add wiper fluid that won’t freeze in cold weather
- Keep your gas tank at least half full
The NSC also recommends placing an emergency kit in your vehicle during the winter months.
Before Heading Out During Winter Weather
You can also take steps before each trip to make yourself as safe as possible. These include the following:
- If your car is equipped with external camera lenses, make sure to clean them off before leaving. In addition, wipe down your car’s side-view mirrors as well
- Remove ice, snow, dirt, and snow from sensors so that all of your vehicle’s safety features work
- NEVER leave your car running in the garage in order to warm it up
- Check the forecast before you leave. If it looks like it might get bad, try and wait it out. If you absolutely have to leave, let someone know where you are going and how you plan to get there.
Liability in Winter Weather Accidents
In the unfortunate event that you are involved in an accident in which winter weather played a role, it’s important to understand that you may be able to recover compensation for your accident-related losses. Drivers have an obligation to adjust their driving to the conditions at hand, which means slowing down and taking other defensive steps in poor weather conditions. The best way to find out if you are entitled to compensation for your winter weather crash is to have a St. Louis car accident attorney review the facts of your case as soon as possible.
Injured in a Winter Weather Car Accident? Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a St. Louis Personal Injury Attorney
Winter weather does not give drivers an excuse to operate their vehicles in an unsafe way. At Bruntrager & Billings, we know how to hold negligent drivers accountable and get victims the compensation they deserve. To schedule a free case evaluation with a car accident attorney in St. Louis, call our office today at 314-646-0066 or contact us online.