Driving. Riding. Cruising. We all know how easy it can be to jump in the car on a cold winter’s morning instead of walking. However, it’s an unfortunate fact that driving is always more dangerous in the winter. Accidents are much more likely, and you could have a serious injury. If you’ve been involved in a motor accident that wasn’t your fault, you might wish to find a personal injury lawyer for more information on your situation. You don’t want an accident to ruin your festive period, so it’s always best to know what to do if you do find yourself in an unfortunate circumstance.
While driving often isn’t avoidable, it’s important to be aware of the increased dangers during the winter months. Here’s why driving will be more dangerous this winter.
Ice and snow
Lots of northern and eastern states see freezing conditions in winter. This brings ice and snow, making the roads dangerous and slippery. Black ice can be particularly troublesome, as it’s impossible to see. So, it’s important to drive with extra caution in freezing temperatures. Many people invest in snow tires and keep shovels in their vehicle, just in case they have to get out and clear their path.
Increased traffic
There’s always more traffic in winter. Why? A number of reasons. Firstly, it’s colder out, so people are less inclined to walk. The holiday season also brings increased traffic as people are driving home to their families. Generally, people are out and about more in December as they’re celebrating festivities. All of these factors can mean that the roads are busier, and therefore more dangerous. You might find yourself snarled in traffic and feeling frustrated. However, it’s important to drive with extra caution and not be tempted to cut lines. This is when driving gets dangerous and car accidents happen. It is possible that you are taking extra caution while driving in such conditions. However, you cannot always expect others to be responsible on the roads. Accidents are unpredictable and result in grave medical and financial troubles. Get in touch with a car accident attorney from somewhere like the Echavarria Law Firm, if something unfortunate happens to you.
Sparkly distractions
The holiday season often means that there are lots of fun and festive decorations strung around. People will decorate their houses and compete with one another to have the most impressive display. It’s all great fun, but it adds additional dangers when driving. You might be tempted to look out the window and admire the sparkles. This is never a good idea. Always keep both eyes on the road. If you fancy checking out the lights, park up and go for a stroll.
Dark mornings and evenings
Winter can be a depressing season because of the limited amount of daylight. You drive to work in darkness and drive home in darkness, too. While it’s not particularly cheery, it can also make driving more dangerous as it’s harder to see. Make sure to use your lights and focus on the road. Beam lights can be useful in darker months, but always turn them off when another driver is approaching. You don’t want to hurt their eyes and limit their visibility.