![\"driving](\"https:\/\/montaglaw.net\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/hammer-719066_640-300x225.jpg\")
I used to expect most of our business as a motor vehicle accident law firm would be from winter accidents.\u00a0 Although there is an increase in the number of accidents in the winter months, the biggest factor contributing to accidents any time of year is operator error and inattentive driving.\u00a0 There are several things that all drivers should be especially aware of when driving in cold inclement weather conditions.<\/p>\n
Rear end accidents are always a large category of accidents any time of year but they happen even more often when a driver misjudges the distance required to stop on a slick icy road.\u00a0 It is always a good practice to keep a safe following distance in any weather and it is even more important in the ice and snow.\u00a0 It is good to try to avoid tailgaters in traffic too.<\/p>\n
It is never a good idea to do anything that distracts significantly from driving.\u00a0 Eating and drinking should be done when you are stopped, not when you are behind the wheel.\u00a0 Allowing yourself to be too distracted by the radio or your telephone is a good policy.\u00a0 Hands-free Bluetooth radios and telephones help.\u00a0 If you need to place a call when you are in the call pull over and park in a safe place before dialing.\u00a0 Of course, texting and driving is never a good idea.<\/p>\n
You do not have to be doing anything crazy like driving under the influence of illegal drugs to get into trouble.\u00a0 Holiday parties and family get-togethers often involve some drinking.\u00a0 Try not to get carried away and wait after consuming any alcoholic beverages before driving.\u00a0 Better yet, have a designated driver who does not drink.<\/p>\n
Make sure other drivers can see you<\/strong><\/p>\n It is a good idea to use your lights to make your own car more visible even during the day.\u00a0 This helps other drivers see you in rain or snowy conditions.\u00a0 Also be sure that your own visibility is not impaired by poorly cleared windows.\u00a0 Warm up your car thoroughly including getting the heater and defroster completely warmed up.\u00a0 Also be sure that the frost is completely cleared from your windows.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be the person who got lazy and only scraped a small hole to peer out through.\u00a0 You need your peripheral vision too.<\/p>\n Plan to be safe in the cold<\/strong><\/p>\n Any time that you have an accident or slide off an icy road, you can quickly be put in a dangerous situation.\u00a0 Obviously, an accident is a dangerous time when you are likely to be injured.\u00a0 Even if you were not injured in the accident the hazards of being stuck outside on a very cold day deserve some planning and preparation.\u00a0 If you are not wearing a thick jacket with gloves and a hat already, warm clothing should be stored in the car all winter long.\u00a0 I have known people who make a habit of skipping warm clothes when they expect to be in an out of the car quickly.\u00a0 That might work normally but it is a problem if you are stuck outside because of car problems or an accident.\u00a0 It is always a good idea to have a shovel and sand to get unstuck if you get stuck on an icy road.\u00a0 Also never forget your cellular telephone so that you can call for help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Safe Driving in Ice and Snow I used to expect most of our business as a motor vehicle accident law firm would be from winter accidents.\u00a0 Although there is an increase in the number of accidents in the winter months, the biggest factor contributing to accidents any time of year is operator error and inattentive […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[45],"yoast_head":"\n