Winters in Wisconsin bring icy and slippery roads, much like the sudden drop in temperature does everywhere in the Midwest. Before Milwaukee’s first snowfall hits, it’s time to take extra precautions whenever and wherever possible to protect yourself from dangerous accidents.
Bad weather can exasperate the dangers of driving on slippery roads by compromising the integrity of your gas tank, tires, and brakes.
If you’re concerned about the impact wintry conditions may have on your road safety, you can prepare ahead of time to help to keep you safe from the worst accidents. However, if you find yourself involved in an accident due to someone else’s wintertime negligence, you can work with a Milwaukee car accident lawyer to secure loss-based damages.
When to Call a Milwaukee Car Accident Lawyer
Winter accidents can leave you out in the cold in more ways than one. When other drivers refuse to take extra caution on the road, they can cause T-bone crashes, rear-end crashes, and even accidents involving unprotected pedestrians.
If you have been seriously injured in an accident, call a Milwaukee car accident attorney for help. Wisconsin’s personal injury statute of limitations only gives you three years to file a claim. The personal injury lawyers in Milwaukee at Gruber Law Offices can help you hold the right parties accountable.
For a free legal consultation, call 414-276-6666
How to Drive Safely in Icy Conditions
It’s easy to lose control on the road when colder weather hits. Even before the ice starts to cover the roads, reduced temperatures can compromise the functionality of your steering wheel, tire pressure, wiper blades, and anti-lock brakes.
Colder temperatures can also make it harder for you to see road signs, especially if you struggle to see out of your windshield first thing in the morning.
If you want to avoid a loss of control in icy conditions, keep an eye out for severe weather alerts in Milwaukee and the surrounding areas. If local news sources predict a sudden drop in temperature, severe rain, or dangerous snowfall, staying off the road may be the safest bet.
Never Drive Exhausted or After Drinking
Likewise, it’s always in your best interest to wait until your awareness or energy levels are better suited to driving. If you’re exhausted or have been drinking, you may feel a false sense of security when you hit the road. In reality, it’s smarter to either ask for help from the people around you or call a rideshare company for help getting to your desired destination.
Securing Loose Objects
It’s easy to use your car as a second storage space, especially when you have coats and other winter gear to carry with you. Unfortunately, sudden movements can dislodge most gear and compromise your ability to drive safely.
If a water bottle slips under your gas pedal or car seats start to slide around the backseat, you may become distracted. You can prevent unwanted sliding by taking an extra minute before hitting the road to double-check the security of children’s seats, reorganizing your gear, and keeping loose items away from the driver’s seat.
Eliminating Unnecessary Distractions
Most states, including Wisconsin, have distracted driving laws in place designed to encourage common sense on the road. You should never use a handheld device while you’re at the wheel of a car, especially not in bad weather.
However, there are other steps you can take to increase your focus as winter conditions set in. Turn down your radio to better pay attention to the road. Silence your phone before you get behind the wheel so you’re not thinking about any texts you might miss. Try to avoid eating on icy roads.
Finally, have a conversation with your passengers about the dangers of snowy conditions. It’s easier to ask adults to cooperate with you when the weather turns bad and you need to pay attention to the road.
However, if you’re transporting children, you may need to have a longer talk about the steps they can take to minimize vehicular distractions.
Work With Your Passengers
Having someone else in a car with you during heavy snow or severe weather can make it easier for you to prevent and manage roadway emergencies. For example, assigning someone the role of navigator ensures you won’t be looking at your phone while driving.
As mentioned, another passenger can help should child passengers need assistance.
Finally, if you get into an accident, you can ask passengers to access your safety gear, call the police, and check on one another until emergency responders arrive.
Avoid Using Cruise Control
Drivers should avoid using cruise control while driving on slippery or icy roads.
This could create an even more dangerous situation and increase the chance that you may lose control of your vehicle.
Additionally, cruise control could potentially impact a driver’s ability to react, which is made worse when the roads are icy or slippery.
Keep Your Distance
Keeping your distance when driving on icy roads is important for several reasons, the most important of which includes the distance needed to brake and come to a complete stop. It’s harder to come to a short stop on icy roads because your tires have less traction.
Keeping a safe distance between your vehicle and others on the road is just one of the many strategies you can use to stay safe while driving on icy roads.
Drive Carefully But Also Consistently
When driving on icy roads, you should travel at a speed that is appropriate for the weather conditions as well as the traffic conditions.
Traveling at an appropriate speed can help create a reasonable and predictable flow of traffic, which is important when the road is wet or icy.
Additionally, if at all possible, avoid making sudden lane changes or turns because they could potentially cause skidding and may affect other drivers around you.
Icy Or Snow-Covered Roads Require More Attention
There are specific times when the roadways are the most slippery.
- Rain: The road is most slippery when it first begins to rain. Rainwater can lift up oil that’s built up in the middle of the roadway (left by cars over time) and begin to drag that oil discharge all over the asphalt.
- Snow: The dangers of driving after a snowfall differ depending on local conditions, including visibility and pre-existing damage done to the road in question. What’s more, a rapid melt and freeze cycle can see black ice start to accumulate beneath fresh snow.
Either avoid driving when roads are most slippery or drive with extreme caution in these conditions if you can’t put off traveling.
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How to Create a Car Checklist
Before you get into the car this winter, use the P.O.W.E.R. checklist:
- P – Petrol (or diesel): Make sure you have enough gas in your car. There is nothing worse than getting stuck on the side of a snowbank, waiting in the cold for a tow truck in a dangerous position.
- O – Oil: Take a quick look at the oil dipstick and ensure that you have enough oil and that your oil is still clean enough to hit the open road.
- W – Windshield: Ensure that your windshield is clean and your windshield wipers are working.
- E – Electrics: Before you go out on icy winter roads, be sure to check your headlights and brake lights. Also, check your battery and the corrosion around the connections.
- R – Rubber: Inspect your tires for wear and tear. Make sure your tires are filled with enough air and are appropriate to the conditions.
Although there may be unforeseen problems with your car, this checklist can potentially help you decrease the chances of an accident out on slippery and snowy roads.
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How to Keep Your Winter Emergency Kit Ready
Your wintertime emergency survival kit should include some of the following items:
- Flashlight
- Flares
- Blankets
- Warm clothing
- Winter hat
- Extra gloves
- Materials for traction (sand or kitty litter)
- Charged cell phone (to call 911)
- Snow brush and ice scraper
- Snacks
- Vehicle manual
While it might sound obvious that you should have a winter survival kit in your car, you might not think to keep some items on hand. Also, be sure that your kit is always stocked. If you must take out flares, replace them as soon as possible.
The kit should remain stocked at all times. Unfortunately, it is difficult to predict if/when you may need it next. You may also have to adjust your packing plan if you intend to take a motorcycle out on the road.
Safe Winter Driving Protects Everyone On the Road
Remember that even if you are a skilled driver, driving on slippery roads can be dangerous. Avoiding unnecessary travel and staying home when the weather is bad is the best way to stay safe on icy roads.
However, if you have to drive for a specific reason, it’s important to be as safe as possible. Avoid distractions, create a safe environment, always check the car (P.O.W.E.R.), avoid cruise control, keep your distance, drive carefully & appropriately for the conditions, and have your winter kit up-to-date and ready.
Winter in Wisconsin can be a challenge! Please be sure to keep your family safe during the cold winter months. If you or a loved one has been injured, call Gruber Law Offices today. There’s never a fee, until we win. One Call…That’s All!
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