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Driving Safety: winter weather increases accidents and keeps drivers on their 'tires'

By Megan Roth

As mentioned yesterday, I consider myself very fortunate that I no longer have to drive (as driving isn’t really my ‘thing’); however, I also know that I don’t intend to stay in New York forever and that my lack of driving is only temporary.

This, coupled with the fact that my sister calls me almost daily and complains of the roads as she’s driving home (not-so-smart-or-safe, I know) keep the dangers of driving the winter roads fresh in my mind. Yes, I’m very aware of the harsh realities driving in frigid weather can pose – heck, I’ve experienced them first-hand.

It’s true – I was 16-years old when I had my first car accident (yes, I contribute to the teenage driving statistics, which I’ll review later in the month). A friend and I were going to our high school basketball game and I was driving. We were on a windy country highway, listening to music and singing our hearts out when I dropped a shoulder off the side of the road, the car spun sideways and hit a car in the oncoming lane, which is more common in winter weather than we like to think.

The whole scene is still so vivid in my mind: the cars struck head-on and the windshield shattered. My car spun two full circles in the middle of the highway while the airbags deployed and all of our personal belongings flew. The other car immediately veered off the road and came to rest hundreds of yards away in the middle of a barren, snow-covered corn field.

Fortunately, no one was seriously injured but the financial and mental tolls wore heavy and the memory is still there. Like I said, it was awful in every sense. The ambulance and police showed up within minutes and I remember bawling as the sheriff told me that the car probably hit a patch of ice on the road that caused it to turn sideways.

Now I’m not naïve and I admit that I had been driving too fast in general, but knowing that there was ice on the roads, I should’ve slowed down and driven even more cautiously.

Instead, I zipped along and became part of a statistic.

We should be cautious every time we get behind the wheel; however, we need to be even more aware when nasty winter weather sets in.

Yes, the snow, fog and ice combined contribute to hundreds upon hundreds of accidents each year. In fact, just a few months ago, the Midwest experienced its first snowstorm of the year. The icy roads and tricky driving conditions led to numerous car accident injuries and even a couple of deaths.

And while the weather conditions obviously contribute to many of these, they’re not solely to blame. Drivers need to step up and accept responsibility: we know that winter weather complicates driving so do something about it.

First, SLOW DOWN. In high school, every time I went somewhere with friends my father would repeat “Remember, Megs: speed kills.” I used to roll my eyes every time he said it, but he was right – speed does kill.

The faster you drive, the less control you have in the event that you hit a patch of ice or that another car comes veering towards you.

Also, drive with your headlights on and leave more distance than normal between you and the car in front of you. Always anticipate the worst: if they slam on their breaks you want to allow extra room in case you slide so as not to rear-end them.

And be aware that bridges, overpasses and less frequently traveled roads are more likely to freeze than the regularly traveled interstates and highways.

Are you tuned-up yet? You’re prepared and aware of what’s going on around you, but that still doesn’t mean your exempt from harm. Make sure your car is properly serviced and up-to-date on all necessary fluids and changes. Pack a winter weather safety kit and keep it in your trunk with extra blankets in case you end up stranded. May sound dorky, but you can never be too prepared…

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Megan Roth

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on February 03, 2009 (boomark / email).