The East Coast of the United States got hit with some very heavy winter storms this week. Christmas is over, but winter weather, unfortunately, is here to stay, for at least another couple of months. If you live in a state where the weather outside is frightful, you are going to need to be extra careful while driving through the snow and ice. Amica insurance has some excellent advice about how to stay safe while driving this winter.
Winter weather can cause some drivers to feel very anxious. Snow and ice on the road can cause vehicles to slide into an accident. Snow and ice can reduce your ability to see the road. No one wants to get into a car accident. Insurance companies tend to see a rise in car insurance claims at this time of year, due to the winter weather. To help you avoid both accidents and insurance claims, check out these tips from Amica insurance.
Slow down! You may be able to avoid an accident if you are maintaining a safe speed. What is a safe speed? In general, it is going to be lower than the posted speed limit. Going slow can also help you to avoid sliding off of a curved road, and into a ditch.
Take the time to clear off your vehicle. Yes, we all know how annoying it can be to get up extra early, so you can start your car and melt at least some of the ice off the windshield before you drive. No one enjoys standing outside in freezing conditions while scraping ice off their windows, and knocking snow off the top of their vehicle. Just keep in mind that you are doing this for your own safety. You need a clear windshield in order to see where you are driving, and avoid accidents. Snow left on top of a vehicle is going to come crashing down your windshield as soon as you make a stop. Or, it could blow off and collect on the windshield of the car behind you, which could cause that car to hit you.
Leave extra room between you, and the vehicle in front of you. That way, if you end up sliding before you are able to completely stop your vehicle at an intersection, you won’t slam into the car in front of you. Give yourself lots of room!
Make sure your gas tank is full. Really cold weather can cause your car to have difficulty starting. For whatever reason, this seems to be made even more difficult when the gas is low. While you are at it, make sure that your windshield washer fluid is full. You may not realize it, but a lot of dirt gets mixed into the snow on roads, and that snow and dirt is going to end up smeared across your windshield, reducing your visibility.
Carry a survival kit, in case you get stranded. This should include jumper cables, road flares, a shovel, salt, and a complete set of extra warm clothing. You might want to include a blanket, an extra ice scraper, and some easy to eat non-perishable food. It’s also a great idea to make sure that your cell phone is charged, so you can call for help.
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