Driving Tips for Staying Safe On Wintry Roads in Georgia

If you wanted to create ideal conditions for a car accident, you couldn’t do better than snow in the south. This part of the country isn’t as prone to snow and ice as its northern neighbors so when true winter weather does come to the area, many drivers are unprepared and unsure of what to do. Roads covered with snow, ice, and black ice can present a real challenge to even the most experienced of drivers in Georgia. These conditions, while rare, cause catastrophic car accidents in Georgia every year.

Both of these winter marvels can cause your tires to lose friction with the road making your car difficult to control. The winter season also means a very restricted number of daylight hours so people are more likely to be facing these perils in the dark which is already a driving hazard in and of itself.

According to a study done by the United States Department of Transportation, roughly 6000 people are killed each year in traffic accidents that are strictly related to winter weather. Before you venture forth into unfavorable weather conditions, you should be familiar with some basic winter driving tips that can help keep you safe and potentially prevent a serious car accident. If you are injured in a car crash in Georgia due to winter driving conditions, you should contact a successful car accident attorney as soon as possible.

How to Drive Safely in Winter

Slow Down

The key to maintaining control over your vehicle on snowy or icy roads is to go slow. Basic movements, such as stopping, accelerating, and turning will all take longer than they usually do and the results are far less predictable. Your braking distance will be greatly increased and a slow speed will help to accommodate that, preventing sudden skids and rear-end collisions. The posted speed limit is almost completely meaningless when you are driving over snow or ice. Your goal here is to travel safely, not quickly. In winter driving conditions “safe” and “fast” never go hand in hand.

Keep on Rolling

Try to only stop on snow or ice if you absolutely cannot avoid doing so. It requires a lot more power to get a car stopped on snow or ice going again than it does to increase the speed of a car that is already moving. If you are coming up on a red light, it is best to slow way down and try to remain moving until the light changes then it is to come up on the light and have to come to a complete stop and then try to get moving again.

Let it Snow

Sometimes the best way for you to stay safe is to stay at home. Unless your trip is urgent, it may be best to sit and simply wait out the bad weather. Be aware of the weather forecast, know when the snow is expected to stop and plan your outing for sometime after that. Remember, even if you feel that you are a fantastic winter weather driver, not every other driver on the road is going to be as fantastic.

Staying home in inclement weather conditions reduces your risk of being involved in a car accident by 100%. So make some cocoa, turn on a movie and enjoy the snow from the warmth and safety of your own home.

Georgia Car Crash Attorney

If you or a family member has been injured in a car wreck in Georgia during any kind of weather, you need to seek the assistance of a car accident attorney immediately. We here at Nye Law Group can help you learn more about filing a claim for compensation. For a free consultation with one of our attorneys, call us at (912) 200-5230.