Driving Tips for the Winter
by Jeffrey J. Kroll
Welcome to Chicago. The first snow has fallen, the roads become icy and can become an obstacle course at the drop of a hat, even for experienced drivers.
Adapting one’s driving style and preparing your vehicle for this type of weather will assist any driver conquer the unpredictability in our urban and rural roads. Here are some tips to help prepare you and your vehicle for the winter:
- Increase the distance between your vehicle and other vehicles. When you increase the distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you, it provides more time to react to situation on the road, such as black ice or other unforeseeable conditions.
- Slow down. The most obvious and easiest way to maintain safety on the road is to slow down. A slower traveling speed can provide you more time to react to what is going on around you.
- Check your route prior to departure. Ensure that you plan your driving route before you hit the road so that you can navigate around any accidents, road closures, or other weather-related situations.
- Check your tire pressure. In the Chicagoland area, one can expect drastic drops in temperatures which can cause your tires to lose air. Make sure to inflate your tires to the proper pressure as noted in your vehicle’s manual. Similarity, check your tires regularly, as icy roads and potholes are the enemy of tires in the winter time.
- Gas up. It is best to head out with a full tank of gas. One never knows what is going to happen on the roads, especially for a long trip. You do not want to run out of gas if roads are closed or there is a multivehicle collision ahead of you.
- Check or replace wiper blades. As anyone knows, in the Chicagoland area, effective windshield wiper blades are a key piece to safe winter driving. Make sure your wiper blades are working properly and you have filled up your vehicle with windshield wiper fluid.
- A winter emergency kit. Keeping an emergency in your vehicle year-round can come in handy when the unexpected happens. During the wintertime, it is imperative to keep these items in your vehicle:
- Windshield ice scraper
- Flashlight
- Windshield wiper fluid
- Blanket or warm clothes, including boots, coat, and gloves
- Jumper cables
At Kaveny + Kroll, the Chicago car accident lawyers work hard at representing victims of personal injury accidents. We have the experience to help you obtain justice. If you or a loved one have been involved in a motor vehicle collision, please call us for a free consultation at 312.761.5585.