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Adverse weather conditions can be a contributing factor to an accident, but snow and ice can be more harrowing than most driving conditions. 29% of Canadian car accidents in 2010 occurred while snow or ice was present on the road surface, and 5% of all collisions occurred during snowy conditions, according to Traffic Accident Information System (TAIS) reports.
Over 150,000 car accidents cause an injury each year in Canada. With nearly 1/3 of these accidents happening while snow is already on the road, snow driving is a serious concern here in Ontario. There are several tips you can follow to try and prevent an avoidable accident.
Some winter auto accidents are unavoidable however. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident during bad weather conditions, you may be eligible for compensation. Greg Monforton and Partners has been helping accident victims for over 30 years, offering vast legal knowledge and a passion for law. Our seasoned team of auto accident lawyers brings that spirit to the courtroom on behalf of our clients, in the pursuit of justice and maximum compensation.
Learn more about how we can help you fill out the Free Case Evaluation form to your right to be contacted by one of our associates.
Tips to Prepare for Driving in Snowy Conditions
Before you start your ignition, there are several things you can do to safeguard your vehicle and yourself. The only way to guarantee you wont get into an accident is to not drive. The safest option in snowy conditions is to do just that, when possible.
If you cant use the snow and ice as an excuse to stay in, let these tips be your guide to getting ready for snow driving:
- Winterize your car
- Check your vehicles user manual for any tips specific to the car
- Ensure your tires are properly inflated
- Do not mix radial tires with other types
- Keep the gas tank half full throughout winter to prevent lines from freezing
- New drivers can practice in an empty, snowy parking lot to get the feel for a vehicle’s handling in winter conditions
- Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, along with a charged cellular phone
- Wait until the roads have been plowed and sanded/salted
- Plan for extra time to reach your destination
- Let others know your route, destination and estimated arrival time
- Start the car and allow the engine to warm before driving
- Remove ice and snow from entire vehicle using scraping tools
- Run the air conditioner on hot using the fresh air option to defrost windows
Proper preparation will not only help keep you safe on the road, but minimize the damage winter can do to your vehicle. Snowy roads are difficult to traverse as it is, and being unprepared can be a fatal mistake.
Dos and Don’ts of Snow Driving
Nobody wants to get stuck in a blistering chill by getting into an accident or stuck in a snow drift. Follow the dos and don’ts of snow driving to keep from getting left out in the cold:
- DO drive slowly, and accelerate and decelerate gently
- DO brake slowly
- DO use lower gears to improve traction
- DO turn your lights on even during the day
- DO keep your windshield and lights clean
- DO increase stopping distance by 3 times, or to 8 10 seconds
- DO watch out for black ice and debris in the road
- DO use caution on bridges, overpasses and less-travelled roads as they freeze first
- DO use caution when driving on unfamiliar or dangerous roads
- DO be extra cautious around turns
- DO try to gain inertia before approaching a hill
- DO ease off brakes if wheels lock up
- DON’T drive while you are fatigued or under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication
- DON’T use the parking brake, cruise control or overdrive
- DON’T come to a full stop when you can slow down instead
- DON’T cross your arms on the steering wheel or you may have a delayed reaction time
- DON’T stop on a hill
- DON’T pass plows or salting/sanding trucks
- DON’T assume your vehicle can handle anything, even if it is 4-wheel or front-wheel drive
The best rule of thumb to follow, when you have no choice but to travel in wintry conditions, is to go slow and be cautious whenever in doubt. These dos and don’ts cover the basic situations that are unique to winter driving.
Contact Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers
Getting through the winter is chilling enough without the devastation of an auto wreck. If another’s negligence has caused you to be injured or to lose a loved one in a weather-related car accident, the team of lawyers at Greg Monforton and Partners may be able to help you. We believe the at-fault party should be held responsible for their negligence.
We fight to defend the rights of Ontario accident victims, pursuing justice and compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills and more. Our office is located in Windsor and we are proud to serve the following communities:
- Chatham-Kent
- Lakeshore
- LaSalle
- Leamington
- Sarnia
- Wallaceburg
- and surrounding cities and towns
Obtain additional information about our firm and to get legal guidance from our car accident lawyers about your potential case, call us today at (866) 320-4770 today. A professional from our intake team will listen to the details of your case and quickly connect you to a lawyer with the expertise best suited for your case.
For even faster service, fill out the Free Case Evaluation form at the top of this page.