For travelers, few things are more dangerous and frightening than a severe weather. Statistics show every winter, there is an average of 500,000 crashes attributed to poor weather conditions, resulting in over 2,000.

Research conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety stipulates that drivers should stay aware of safe driving guidelines that deal with winter road emergencies and exercise extreme caution while driving in unfavorable conditions.

AAA recommends that drivers follow the tips below for safe driving in snowy conditions:

Prepping Your Car for Cold Weather Driving

While driving in cold weather, ensure you do the following:

• Do not attempt to warm up your vehicle in an enclosed area such as a garage.
• Ensure that you keep a tank of fuel in your vehicle all the time.
• Before leaving for a journey, ensure that your tires are adequately inflated.
• When driving on a slippery surface, do not use cruise control.

Tips For Driving Safely in the Ice and Snow

When driving in the snow, AAA recommends that  you follow the following safety precautions:

• Don’t go out except when necessary. It’s more advisable that you avoid being in risky situations by not going out. Stay indoors unless travel is absolutely necessary.
• Slow down. When driving in snowy conditions, reduce your speed to make up for lower traction on snow or ice.
• Brake safely. When braking, ensure that you place the heel of your foot on the floor and the ball of your foot on the brake pedal. Apply firm, steady pressure to slow your vehicle. This single act will help prevent the risk of accidents.
• Be cautious when accelerating and decelerating. If you want to avoid skidding and maintain traction, accelerate slowly. When accelerating after a red light or stop sign, take your time. Also keep in mind that slowing down on icy roads takes longer than normal.
• Anticipate what you will need to do next. In snowy or rainy weather, the road is always slippery and a potential hazard. To counteract these hazards, plan ahead. Ensure that you slow down for turns. When the road is wet, double the stopping distance of your vehicle. When the road is covered with snow, triple the stopping distance. And when conditions are icy, triple your stopping distance even more.
• Look where you  where you want to go. The moment you sense that your car is beginning to skid, look where you want to go. Do not make the mistake of paying attention to where your car is heading at the present moment. This will help you keep your vehicle under control.
• Do not power up hills. Sudden steering inputs, quick braking, and sudden starts often lead to the loss of traction and loss of control. When accelerating, braking, and turning on hills, ensure that you focus on completing the actions smoothly.

Tips For Driving Long-Distance in Winter Season

• Prepare ahead before hitting the road before hitting the road. One way to prepare is by checking your car with an AAA approved auto repair facility.
• Check out weather reports. Before leaving for your trip, check out the weather reports along your route. If the results show bad weather, consider postponing your trip if possible.
• Connect with others. Before leaving for your journey, ensure that you tell others about your route, destination, and approximate time of arrival.

Contact an Experienced Texas Car Accident Lawyer

you or a loved one have been injured in a car crash, contact Thomas J. Henry. Our experienced auto accident attorneys have experience handling a multitude of injury accidents, no matter how severe the crash or injury. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages if another driver acted negligently. Our firm has the experienced lawyers and financial resources that you need to achieve the real results you deserve.

Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Austin, serving clients across Texas and nationwide. Call us today for a free case review — attorneys are available 24/7, nights and weekends. If you cannot make it to our office, we can visit you at your home, in the hospital, or at work.