Stay safe and avoid snowy car accidents by following these tips.
Welcome back, Winter! While we had a mild start in Seattle to the coldest season of the year, freezing temperatures and falling snow are back. We all see the nightly news displaying spun out and wrecked vehicles, so the question becomes – how do we avoid being a part of the mayhem!?
Is your vehicle equipped to drive in the snow?
The first step to driving in the snow around the city and surrounding areas is to assess the type of vehicle you plan to drive relative to where you want to drive. While a 2WD car may be a fine option for a trip to the grocery store through plowed streets with no hills, anything more might require a 4WD or AWD vehicle with proper tires and traction. The streets of Seattle are notoriously hilly, and it’s critical to factor this in while driving. No matter what vehicle you’re driving it, hills and gravity can be treacherous.
Each year we help hundreds of people get the compensation they deserve when they’ve been victimized by the Seattle weather and the drivers who negligently injure citizens when their vehicles spin and slide out of control, often resulting in multiple vehicle pile-ups that require some untangling.
Drive slow and leave plenty of room
The best driving tip for the snow is to drive slow and leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle ahead. Never take for granted that the vehicles ahead of you will be able to stay in control, on the road, or avoid rear-ending those ahead of them. Many of these car accidents occur because one vehicle far up ahead spins out of control or causes and accident, and those behind it are unable to stop before running into those up ahead, causing a chain reaction pile-up.
Pay Attention to the Temperature
The next driving tip we have to offer is to pay attention to the temperatures outside. If your dash features a thermometer, look at it often to see what the snow and ice are doing outside your vehicle. Temperatures at or below 32 degrees indicate freezing temperatures, and black ice and other hazards may be present. This also indicates that the snow you see is unlikely to be actively melting. Meanwhile, temperatures above 32 degrees will indicate melting ice and snow, usually forming slush. Slush can be tricky to drive in, especially after work on a commute or in the evening, because as soon as temperatures cool it forms into ice.
All in all, the best advice is to be smart, be aware of your surroundings, and drive within the capabilities of your vehicle. Stay safe, and call us if you find yourself in an accident!