When winter arrives in Milwaukee, the roads can be covered in snow and ice. These icy temperatures cause a great number of car accidents in winter. With these seven tips, you can make the necessary precautions and preparations to avoid car accidents when the weather is cold and the roads are slick.
1. Get Winter Tires
You should definitely have winter tires if you’re driving around in the winter in Milwaukee. Many people put off getting winter tires because of the cost of buying them. And while it’s true that winter tires can be expensive, they’re worth the expense to avoid an accident.
If you really can’t afford any winter tires, there are alternatives. For instance, by purchasing the more affordable all-weather tires, you can ensure greater safety when driving in winter weather. When temperatures hit an extreme cold, all-season tires simply won’t do the job.
2. Keep Your Distance
Keeping your distance from other vehicles on the road is always important, but it is especially so in the winter. It’s amazing how many accidents could have been prevented by keeping away from the car in front.
There is also a simple rule to follow: If you’re driving at over 30 miles per hour, then keep at least 3 car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you’re driving at over 50 mph, then you should keep a distance of at least 6 car lengths.
3. Drive Slowly
Everyone knows that you have greater control of the vehicle when you’re driving slower. In low temperatures with snow and ice on the roads, you should be dropping your speed by at least 30 mph.
Even when the snow has melted, the roads may be even more slippery than they appear. By not driving too fast, you can avoid car accidents.
4. Don’t Take Risks
We all take risks occasionally when driving. This is especially the case on roads that we use on a regular basis. However, when it comes to the right turn you take every morning, think twice about it. In the winter, you need to allow yourself more time and space for everything.
5. Find Traction on the Roads
In the winter on the road, there might be moments when you have to make an emergency stop. In these circumstances, you should try to find traction on the roads so that your tires have something to grip on to. This could be the areas on the side of the road with lots of thick snow.
6. If You Crash, Move Away
Car accidents in winter are inevitable. While we can reduce the impact with many of these tips, the roads are too unpredictable to eliminate collisions altogether. However, if you’re unfortunate enough to crash your vehicle, move away from the car as soon as possible. This is because the same conditions that caused you to crash could cause another driver to do the same.
Get away from the vehicle and find yourself a warm place to wait for the emergency services.
7. Let the Emergency Services Handle Car Accidents in Winter
In winter conditions, it can always be tempting to be a good neighbor and help others. However, this can sometimes cause greater problems along the way. You may hold up traffic and create further car accidents on the road.
The best thing to do is to make sure you follow these precautions to keep yourself and your family safe on the roads. After you’ve done this, leave it to the emergency services to carry out their work without disruption.
Contact a Lawyer
Have you been involved in a winter car accident in Milwaukee? Do you need a lawyer? We specialize in personal injury cases and can provide you with legal advice. For more information, get in touch with us today.