As a driver in the state of Illinois, you know that the weather can turn on you when you least expect it. One second, it’s cold outside but the weather isn’t having any impact on your driving. The next, however, snow begins to fall and you find yourself worried about your safety.
If you don’t take steps to stay safe when driving in winter weather, there may be a greater chance that you’ll be part of an accident.
Fortunately, by changing your approach, you can feel better about your ability to remain safe when the snow begins to fall and the ice accumulates on the roadways. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Slow down. You may be in a hurry to reach your destination, but driving too fast in bad weather greatly increases the chance of an accident.
- Give yourself more time to stop. In dry weather, it’s easy to stop your vehicle as intended. When the roads are wet, however, this is not always the case. Hard braking can cause your vehicle to skid.
- Don’t stop when traveling up a hill. It’s not always possible to follow this advice, but you should try your best. If you stop, there’s a chance you won’t be able to get moving again.
- Stay at home. This is a winter driving tip that can be hard to follow, but it’s something to strongly consider. Unless you absolutely need to be on the road, stay at home and wait for severe winter weather to clear up.
These are just a few of the many winter driving tips that could keep you safe.
Obviously, you aren’t the only person on the road. So, even if you’re taking your time and paying close attention to what’s going on around you, other drivers may be more reckless.
If someone causes an accident in bad weather, move your car to the side of the road and call for help. Depending on your injuries and other damages, you’ll want to learn more about your legal rights and what to do next.