In Washington, the weather plays a major part in vehicle accidents of all kinds. There are certain steps that you can take to ensure that your car is ready for the winter, which is right around the corner.
Having your car checked out by a trusted mechanic before the cold weather comes around is an excellent way to avoid breakdowns. They can check your exhaust system and all your fluid levels. Another part of your car that you may want to have checked is your lights, including your blinkers.
Driving conditions in the winter can change drastically from one day to the next so ensuring that you are alert to those around you is important when trying to avoid a car accident. Slippery roads and poor visibility can be tricky, so it is best to be overly cautious in the winter months.
Tire traction should be checked periodically in the winter. Poor tread can cause an accident and in snowy or rainy conditions, chances are amplified. Making sure that your tires have enough air in them can also be a precautionary action. Tires normally lose air pressure in the winter so staying on top of that detail is important.
Seeing sand and salt on the road should give you a modicum of peace. Salt makes snow build up more slowly and aids those snow plows when they are cleaning up the roadway. Sand, on the other hand, doesn’t melt snow but adds traction to the road on which you are driving.
Being aware of snowplows on the road is a factor that most people take for granted. They travel at much slower speeds and being a defensive driver at this point can mean avoiding a car accident.
Car accidents happen, even under the best conditions. If you have been involved in a car accident that was through no fault of your own, you may want to talk to a professional who can guide you through the legalities of being recompensed for damages and medical bills.
Source: SafeMotorist.com, “Preparing for winter driving – How to drive in snow and ice” Sep. 17, 2014
