Winter Car Accident Prevention Tips

According to the Federal Highway Highway Administration, every year nearly a quarter of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy or icy pavement, and around 1,000 individuals are killed each year in car accidents in snow and sleet. According to the statistics, driving in the wintertime comes with increased risks. Given these increased risks, motorists should do what they can to drive safely and prudently. New York motorists are required to comply with the Vehicle and Traffic Law regardless of weather conditions. Here are some helpful tips for a safe winter driving season:

1. Avoid Driving if Possible

Staying at home may not appear to be fantastic "driving advice." Snow and ice pose a danger to even the most cautious motorists and well-equipped vehicles. For this reason, if possible, staying off the road is the best course of action in dangerous weather.

2. Drive Cautiously

Driving cautiously on slick or snow-covered roads may seem self-evident. Yet it's possible that other motorists won't feel the same need to drive slowly. It is possible that an impatient driver might tailgate you in order to make you speed up. Alternatively, vehicles may pass you left and right, making you feel like you should be going faster. Vehicle and Traffic Law 1180(a) provides that: “No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.” If you have ever been in or witnessed a vehicle spin-out, you know that snow and ice are potential hazards.

3. Keep an Emergency Kit in Your Car

For readers who have ever been stranded in their cars on a snowy day, this advice probably resonates. Snowstorms can leave drivers stranded unexpectedly, so this requires pre-planning.! If you are stranded in your vehicle and have to wait for help, your experience will be much easier if you have enough food, drink, and other winter survival supplies already packed in your vehicle to keep you and your passengers comfortable and safe while you wait for help.

4. Ensure All Windows, Headlights, and Taillights are Cleared and Visible Before Driving

When you're pressed for time, it may be tempting to just get in the car and drive away. Preparing your automobile for inclement weather is critical. Keep a snow brush and ice scraper in your vehicle at all times; while the engine warms up, brush and scrape all windows and external mirrors. Cleaning headlights and taillights will not only help you see but will also help others see you.

Were You Hurt in a New York Winter Car Accident? Call William Mattar

William Mattar, P.C. is well-known for its work on behalf of motorists who have been injured in car accidents. To learn more about your legal options if you were injured in a car accident due to someone else's carelessness, please contact us. To talk with a New York car accident attorney, call our firm at (716) 444-4444, send us an email via our secure web form, or start a live chat with one of our team members. You may also walk into any one of our New York offices for a consultation.