Driving Safely in Winter Weather

Weather in Tennessee is unpredictable, and weather during the winter months is no exception. Roadways can become slippery with ice and snow before you know it. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is always prepared. At the beginning of 2017, they stocked 247,000 tons of salt and 1.6 million gallons of salt brine, a pre-treatment for roads prior to a storm, and have  trucks and plows at the ready.

We cannot rely on plows and salt to keep the highways and roads clear around the clock, however. There will be times when we are caught in the middle of winter weather, and it is important to know how to drive safely to avoid accidents and tragedies.

Before you leave

Safe driving begins at home. Check the weather, and, if there is a storm, decide if it is worth venturing out. Before you leave your house, make sure your car is winter-ready. Ensure your tires are in good shape for snow, your wiper blades are in good working order, your lights and hazards are all working, and the car is not in any general danger of breaking down.

Make sure your phone is fully charged, and consider having a backup charger. Keep a blanket and emergency kit with water and snacks in the backseat or trunk. You should never have less than a half-tank of gas during the winter.

On the winter roads

Snow and ice require a different driving style than normal weather conditions. You need to adapt in order to avoid a car accident. First, and probably most important, you must drive slower. Even the biggest SUV with the best four-wheel drive is going to slide when it loses traction. Slow down when approaching stoplights, stop signs, exit ramps, bridges, intersections, curves, or anywhere you might suspect black ice. Keep a large distance between you and the vehicle in front of you—it takes longer to stop in ice or snow.

Do not slam on your brakes or accelerate quickly. This could cause you to skid or slide. The same goes with abruptly yanking the steering wheel. Make sure to look ahead to see what is happening with traffic in front of you. Always be alert to other vehicles.

Another hazard on winter roads, interestingly enough, are snowplows. If you do not exercise caution around plows, you are taking a big risk. Remember, snowplows are very wide and often make turns or stops. Give them a lot of room and avoid driving right next to them—a snowplow driver’s field of vision is often more restricted than yours, so you should assume they cannot see you.

If you suffer injuries in a car accident, the attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC are ready to advocate for you. We proudly serve the residents of Memphis, Jackson, and West Tennessee. Call us today at 901-680-9777 or complete our contact form to schedule a consultation with our experienced team.