Anyone who has lived through a typical Utah winter knows how dangerous the roads can be during the coldest months of the year. Driving can be a nightmare, and the risk of catastrophic auto accidents is extremely high.
At the law firm of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton, we handle cases involving the full range of auto accident types, including those resulting from hazardous weather conditions. We know firsthand how devastating auto accidents involving icy roads in the Salt Lake City, UT region can be.
With this in mind, our personal injury attorneys have created a list of tips to help motorists minimize the risk of auto accidents caused by icy roads. Of course, if you have been injured in such an accident, or if a member of your family has been injured or killed in such an accident, we encourage you to contact our law firm for an evaluation of your case. We would be pleased to advise you of your legal rights and options.
By following these five tips when driving on icy roads, you can help to minimize your risk of an auto accident:
- Do not use cruise control: While cruise control is often convenient, it forces you to yield control of your vehicle. This could be hazardous if, for example, you have to slam on your brakes to avoid a patch of ice when your vehicle is accelerating to maintain a set speed up a hill.
- Make sure your tires have the proper air pressure: The air pressure in your tires will be lower in colder weather. Check your tires regularly and make sure that the air pressure is correct. Your vehicle will handle better, which is important on icy roads.
- Watch out for “black ice”: Be on the lookout for spots on the road that appear slick or shiny, or that appear puddle-like even in frozen conditions. This could be “black ice,” nearly transparent ice that is difficult to discern and extremely dangerous.
- Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and other vehicles: It’s never a good idea to tailgate, of course, but it’s an especially bad idea on icy roads, where you’ll need extra time and space to brake. If someone is tailgating you, don’t speed up or engage in unsafe, aggressive driving practices. Simply wait until it is safe to pull over and let the tailgater pass.
- Be particularly attentive when you drive on bridges and ramps: Bridges and ramps are generally the first roads to develop ice, so be particularly attentive when you drive on these roads.
Whatever you do, be sure not to engage in any distractions while driving on snow. Keep your attention focused on the road at all times.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm Today
We hope that you find these tips for driving on icy roads helpful. If you require an evaluation of an auto accident case, please don’t hesitate to contact our law firm today.