Colder temperatures impact traffic safety in a number of ways. Cold pavement affects air pressure and tires, which can impact traction and vehicle control. Winter precipitation can create a broad assortment of traffic hazards.
Motorists often benefit from refreshing themselves on best practices for cold-weather driving. How can motorists change their habits to reduce the risk of a winter weather crash?
1. Plan for a longer drive time
The most effective means of limiting winter weather crashes is to slow down. Even when the roads are clear, the reduced pressure in vehicle tires caused by cold pavement can increase stopping distances. Snowy or icy pavement can lead to vehicles sliding if they stop abruptly. Planning trips with an expectation of traveling at lower speeds can help people reach their destination safely.
2. Leave more space
As mentioned above, stopping distances tend to increase when the pavement is cold or when roads are wet. Therefore, people may want to double the amount of space that they leave between the front of their vehicle and the vehicle directly ahead of them in traffic.
3. Carry winter safety supplies
Even the safest drivers could potentially lose control of their vehicles or get struck by less responsible motorists. Having a crash kit that includes blankets, visibility signs and even tow straps to help get a vehicle out of a ditch can reduce the risk involved in waiting in a disabled or snowbound vehicle for help to arrive.
If other drivers do cause winter weather crashes, they may be responsible for their failure to adjust their conduct based on the weather. Holding another motorist responsible for causing a car crash can help people replace their vehicles, pay their medical bills and recover their lost wages.