Be careful driving in the winter – accidents increase but you can take some action to protect yourself and your passengers
Winter inevitably sees a rise in road traffic accidents. This is hardly surprising, as we are much more likely to be driving in the dark and upon roads that have been affected by adverse weather conditions. Whether this is fallen leaves, ice and snow or pot holes generated by the cold, the winter months always pose increased risks to drivers and their passengers.
So with the winter now seemingly upon us, is there anything you can do to reduce your chances of being injured in a car accident?
The first thing to do is to furnish your vehicle with certain safety equipment. This is a recommendation made by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA), who say you should keep basic safety equipment in your car at all times, just in case you are confronted with bad weather. This should include a towrope, spare wheel, de-icing equipment, a first aid kit, a torch and a thick blanket.
Secondly, you should check that your vehicle is fully prepared for the winter environment. Check your tyre pressure on a regular basis and ensure that you have sufficient tyre tread, as this will reduce skids and slips. Make certain that your windscreen wipers are in good working condition and that your screen wash has anti-freeze in it, or it could solidify. Spray the electrics under your bonnet with a water-displaying product to prevent the damp from getting in. And clean your lights of dirt to ensure other road users are fully aware of your presence. No matter what make and model of your vehicle, repeat these checks frequently, especially if you are going on a long journey.
Lastly, you will need to adapt your driving skills to accommodate the varied conditions. Here a few snowing driving tips – Drive slowly and be sure to leave a large enough gap between you and the vehicle in front; breaking distances will always increase in wet and icy weather and you do not want to bump into the vehicle in front. If there is ice on the road, remain in as high a gear as possible and avoid sudden breaking.
But while we want to prevent you from being injured whenever we can, it is not always possible to avoid winter road accidents, especially if another driver’s negligence is to blame. If you have been unfortunate enough to be involved in such an accident, we see it as our duty to help you to recover from your injuries, using our legal expertise to obtain for you the compensation you may need at this time.
For more information about this article or any aspect of our accident and injury claims services, please call us on 01772 424999, email us on enquiries@solicitordirect.com, visit us at 71 Hough Lane, Leyland or fill in the form below:
