Seven Tips to Drive Safely on Icy Roadways

 The northeast is being pummeled by snow, sleet, ice and freezing rain this winter. This is of course making driving on our roadways extremely treacherous. Last month, officials reported hundreds of accidents in the tri-state area that were directly related to the winter weather conditions. During this time, it is critical to take additional steps and exercise tremendous caution when you are driving.

Safety Measures in Wintry Conditions
Here are seven critical tips to help you navigate icy roadways this winter in New York:
1. Slow down. This is the best way to avoid serious accidents when you are driving on snow or ice. High speeds make it easier to lose control. When you are traveling at a high rate of speed, it is also difficult to stop. Even if you have a four-wheel drive, you should not be driving faster than 45 mph when the roads are icy, even on highways. If you find your vehicle sliding or fishtailing, it means that you are going too fast for the weather conditions.
2. Avoid danger when you can. The best way to avoid an accident during inclement weather is to avoid driving. It is better to stay off the roads until the threat passes. Monitor the weather conditions frequently.
3. Buckle up at all times, even if you are driving a short distance to pick up your child from school or making a quick run to the supermarket. Even though you should wear your seatbelt at all time, it is particularly important during the winter. An alarming number of road fatalities occur in minor car crashes where the occupants were not buckled up.
4. Be careful when you apply the brakes because on an icy road, braking often results in sliding or loss of vehicle control. Antilock brakes don’t work well when roads are icy and may lock up your wheels.
5. Don’t stop for accidents or stranded vehicles on an icy roadway. While it’s the noble thing to do, it can put you in harm’s way. The best thing you can do when you see someone else stranded or injured is to call 911. Emergency personnel are better equipped to deal with these situations in a safe manner.
6. Plan your route before you leave home. Don’t use less-traveled roadways because they are not likely to be cleaned up. Avoid roadways that have steep inclines or bridges or overpasses where ice tends to accumulate.
7. Make sure your car is in good condition. Specifically, check the brakes, tires, engine and windshield wipers. Keep an emergency kit and extra food in the car just in case you are stranded.
If You Have Been Injured
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident this winter, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Our skilled personal injury lawyers have a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a man who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com