Lowered temperatures and falling snow can interfere with the ability to safely control a motor vehicle. However, many factors can influence the potential for crash injuries.
Increasing following distance provides extra time to react if something unexpected happens in front of or around a vehicle. Meanwhile, staying calm can aid reasonable decision-making ability.
Still, a car accident could result from potential dangers such as:
Decreased visibility. Salt spray, cloudy skies and blowing precipitation make it difficult to see vehicle headlights, brakes and turn signals. The same goes for the road. Slowing down minimizes the potential of hitting something or someone.
Overconfidence. Far too often, collisions represent a motorist’s failure to recognize their limitations. Speed should never be tested during unfavorable conditions. No matter how skilled a driver is, controlled maneuvering is infinitely more difficult on slick surfaces.
Black ice. Contrary to its name, you can’t typically identify black ice on the pavement. Rather, moisture from melted snow, fog, or exhaust can form a transparent glaze on the road. Its presence may remain unknown until it causes tires to lose traction.
The winter months come into season full of unpredictability and safety threats. Therefore, getting behind the wheel requires sensibility to determine current risks and the patience to respond accordingly.
Although the weather can put drivers to the test, negligence is not an excuse for traffic incident injuries. Resultant harm from reckless behaviors, driving under the influence, or exceeding the speed limit often present an opportunity for accountability, as well as compensation.