Winter is upon us once again and in the state of Michigan,
it’s no easy time of the year, especially to be driving. Winter weather tends
to bring more car accidents than usual, in part because of drivers who are
unprepared for snow and ice. It’s time to be prepared to drive in the case of
unexpected snowfall or a snowstorm. Here are some safety tips for making sure
your vehicle is winter-ready. These simple precautions can really help prevent
an accident. If you’re not good with cars, either have a friend help or pay a
trusted and experienced mechanic to check out your vehicle.
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Make sure your antifreeze is turned off.
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Install new wiper blades.
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Fill up your washer fluid. Keep an extra bottle
of washer fluid in your car.
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Check your tires. An old trick for this is to take
a penny and stick it into the tread headfirst. If you can see Lincoln’s head,
it’s time to invest in some new tires.
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Check tire air pressure. Do this monthly using a
pressure gauge. The correct tire pressure is located on your vehicle’s tire
information label in the owner’s manual. You can also get them checked at a
tire dealer.
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Make sure you have a fresh, clean battery. If
your battery is more than three years old, have it tested by a technician.
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Change your oil every three months or 3,000
miles.
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Have an emergency kit just in case. This kit can
include blankets, flares, a medical first-aid kit, a flashlight, jumper cables,
bottled water, snacks, a shovel, candles and matches.
These tips are to ensure your vehicle is equipped for the
winter weather. When it comes to actually being on the road however, many
people don’t know what to do if they’re faced with black ice or the task of
driving through inches of snow. Here are some safety tips for when you’re on
the road and have to react to these situations:
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If your rear wheels skid, steer in the direction
you would want the front wheels to go. For instance, if your rear wheels are
sliding left, steer left. You might have to steer left and right a few times to
get your car completely under control. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS),
which most cars have, apply steady pressure. The brakes will pulse, which is
normal. If you have standard brakes, pump gently.
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If your front wheels skid, shift to neutral. As
the wheels skid, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. Steer in
the direction they should go. Then put the car in drive and gently accelerate.
When wheels skid, you should also keep calm and don’t let fear take over in
case of a skid on ice.
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Don’t underestimate the slipperiness of the roads.
Don’t assume the roads are slippery if it’s not freezing or below. Ice can form
on roads at any time the temperature drops to 40 degrees, especially if it’s
windy.
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Anticipate black ice. Ice can lurk on bridges,
underpasses, low areas or shaded areas and intersections, and it may even look
dry or only slightly wet from afar.
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Slow down when visibility and road conditions
are bad.
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Increase your following distance between
vehicles by one car the very least.
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If you’ve been in a minor car accidents or if
your car stalls, pull over and stay in your vehicle while you wait for help to
arrive. If you get out of your vehicle to check out the damage, you run the
risk of being hit by another vehicle, which can be more likely to happen when
the roads are slippery.
If
you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in
Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor,
Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield,
Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City
Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys
know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your
feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the
compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow
Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join
the conversation by using #MCAA.
