As magical as snow may appear and as fun, as it can be to play in it- it’s a harbinger of auto accidents every year.
From cars skidding forward into intersections to vehicles sliding off into ditches, it’s clear why many people fear driving in snow.
Although a lot of drivers in the South think they’re safe from snow, the cold weather keeps drifting closer and closer to the equator: which means many drivers are left unprepared.
Here are the top ways to avoid auto accidents in the snow and what you can do to stay safe if you get into one!
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1. Maintain A Steady Speed
A huge mistake people make while driving on snow is being unpredictable. You shouldn’t go like you’re on a racetrack, but you also shouldn’t just let your car crawl across the snow.
Instead, keep a steady speed and follow at a distance from the traffic ahead of you.
2. Pay Attention To Your Breaks
Don’t slam your brakes! Locking up your brakes suddenly can lead to skidding across unseen ice, pushing you right into a ditch or another vehicle. Instead, ease onto your breaks as you slow down.
If you have trouble breaking, attempt breaking sooner than you usually would, and steer away from other cars and people.
3. Keep Your Car Well Maintained
The best plan would be to have your car checked for maintenance before the frost sets in. It would be best if you asked that your brake pads get checked, as well as your tires and any cracks you have in your windows.
If you’re not sure what to get done, most auto shops will understand what you mean when you ask to winterize your vehicle.
4. Pay Attention To Other Drivers
Don’t get distracted on the road! Your attention should be on the road itself and the drivers around you. If someone near you has their brakes fail, you could have only moments to react.
Instead of allowing yourself to get hit, you can veer out of the way. As always, avoid hitting your breaks or speeding up without reason.
5. Keep Your Car Well Stocked
The next best thing to avoiding a car crash is having your car prepared for one if it happens. If you end up in a car accident in St. Louis, there are a few things you’ll need.
Blankets and heating packs on reserve in case you’re stuck there for a while, and some breakfast bars or other snacks to keep yourself fed.
If neither of you can drive away from the accident, call for help and get back into your car. Run the heat for as long as you safely can, and then from there, you should try to conserve body heat.
Most emergency vehicles arrive within half an hour, so you have to make it that long.
If either car is open or exposed to the air and can’t be closed, try to get together in the other for shelter. You can sort out blame and injury after everyone is safely off the road.
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