How to Drive Your Car Safely During the Winter

Driving safely can be difficult in even the best of conditions, and it is made even harder during inclement weather. In 2016, there were more than 250,000 accidents in New Jersey, many of which occurred during inclement weather conditions, especially winter driving. By following a few safety tips when getting on the road during the winter, you may be able to increase your chances of avoiding a car accident.

What to Do Before Driving

Driving safely when there’s snow or ice on the road starts before you ever get into the car. For instance, batteries will invariably weaken during freezing weather. To check the status of your battery, place the key in the ignition and flip on the headlights. Keep your eye on the headlights while turning on the engine. If the lights actually brighten when the engine is fully turned on, this likely means that the battery is on its last legs and needs to be replaced. You should also check the levels of antifreeze and windshield washer liquid in your car before setting off on a drive.

There are many items that you will likely want to have on hand at all times when driving in the winter. These items include jumper cables, an ice scraper, a flashlight, ample amounts of water and a phone charger. When you’re searching for tires that will be able to handle icier conditions adequately, all-weather tires are designed to provide additional traction while on the road. Make sure that you defrost the windshield and remove any snow from the headlights before driving.

Safety Tips While Driving

Once you’ve prepared your vehicle for the drive, it’s time to employ good driving tactics while on the road. Make sure that you always press down on the gas pedal gently so that your tires don’t start spinning without moving forward. A key aspect of driving safely during the winter is to know when to stop the vehicle. When driving in rain or snow, you’ll need to press down on your brakes differently than you would in dry road conditions. Even if you have an ABS system in your vehicle, it’s recommended that you stomp on the brakes if you ever need to stop suddenly. Keep your foot on the brake and steer while doing so in order to move around whatever obstacle is in your way.

Whenever you’re stopping at red lights and stop signs, make sure that you press down on the brake slowly to keep your wheels from slipping. If the back portion of your car ever starts to slip sideways, turn the steering wheel in the same direction that the back is moving. If the rear is skidding to the right, make sure to turn your wheel to the right to compensate. As long as you follow these safety tips, you should be able to reduce your chances of getting into a car accident.

What to Do If You Get in an Accident

If you’re ever in an accident, you’ll want to make sure that everyone involved in the accident, including yourself, is unharmed. Even if you’re unsure of whether you’re injured, it’s always wise to call an ambulance to check for any additional problems. The police will then arrive and ask questions about the incident. In most accidents, the vehicles involved will likely need to be towed. If your car still works and can be driven, you can decide to either drive it home or have it towed. If you feel as though you need legal representation for your case, you may want to contact our auto accident attorney. A car accident lawyer can help you determine what to do next. There are many options at your disposal, all of which can be discussed during a consultation. Once an attorney has taken your case, he or she will guide you through the rest of the process.

In the aftermath of a car accident, call one of our auto accident attorneys in New Brunswick at (732) 247-3600 or in Somerville at (908) 448-2560 so that we can advise you about the next steps that you should take.