Tis the Season for Slippery Roads
Posted December 14th, 2015 by Anthony Carbone, PC.
Categories: Auto Accidents.
It’s hard to believe it with the temperatures in the 60s and 70s throughout New Jersey yesterday, but wintertime is right around the corner. Time for snowflakes, hot chocolate, building snowmen, and icy roads. Although you don’t want to think about, now is the perfect time to prepare for any winter weather-related accidents. After all, it’s not all going to be 60-degree weather this winter! Well, unless you live down south.
Did you know that 22 percent of all auto accidents in the United States are weather-related? It’s true. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 6,000 people are killed and more than 445,000 people are injured in weather-related accidents each year in the US.
And you may think that it’s all related to wintry conditions – but in reality, the number one cause for weather-related car crashes is wet pavement at 73 percent. In fact, only a small percentage of winter weather is the cause of an auto accident.
But this doesn’t mean you should drive like a maniac during a snow storm. It just means that we tend to be a little more careful when driving in snow or rain. If you must drive during a snow storm or when the roads are in a less than ideal condition, keep these tips in mind:
- When driving, accelerate and decelerate your speed slowly. This is the best method to keep traction while on a snowy road.
- Keep a large distance between you and the car ahead of you. That way if the first car starts skidding, you have a chance to slow down and stop.
- Try not to stop if it’s possible. That doesn’t mean you should ignore the rules of the road, but you would have some trouble starting up again after a complete stop.
- Whatever you do, don’t stop on or try to to accelerate up a hill. Instead, speed up a little to get the inertia you need to get up the hill. By accelerating on hill, you’re just spinning your wheels.
If you get into a weather-related auto accident and need legal assistance, we’re here to help! Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone today for a free consultation.
