10 Ways to Stay Safe When Driving on Winter Roads

A contributor to Austin car wrecks in the winter is slippery road conditions. This can be caused by rain, snow, or ice. While these conditions can make it difficult to drive safely, a larger contributor to winter road accidents is driver behavior. These accidents are caused because drivers do not alter their driving behavior appropriately when conditions worsen.

The first thing you can do to help keep you from getting into an Austin car wreck is to check your vehicle.

• Remove ice and snow from your car windows, headlights, and the hood of the car.
• Check you tire treads. Not having enough tread on your tires can lead to an increased chance of losing control of your vehicle.
• Replace your windshield wipers if they are old or if the rubber is cracked.
• Top off the windshield wiper fluid and use a product that does not easily freeze.

The second thing you can do is pay attention to your driving behavior.

• Slow down as soon as conditions worsen.
• Use brakes lightly because pushing your brakes suddenly and too hard can cause you to spin out.
• Proceed carefully when going over bridge decks, as they often freeze first.
• Slow down—especially for exit ramps.
• Do not use cruise control, since roads in the winter can suddenly change and become icy.
• Pay attention to the traffic far ahead of you and to any sudden changes in the roadway.

These tips may certainly help in reducing your chances of being in a Travis County car accident, but sometimes accidents are unavoidable.

If you have been injured in a winter-time accident or need a qualified Austin car wreck attorney, contact Earl Straight. Call Straight Law today to schedule a free consultation at 512.454.1331.

Also, available free for download is Mr. Straight’s book, Texas Accident Law and You: 8 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Making Them.

Earl K. Straight serves victims of Texas car and truck accidents in Austin, Round Rock, Bastrop, Cedar Park, Buda, Kyle, Taylor, and elsewhere in Travis County, Williamson County, Hays County, Lee County, and Burnet County, including accidents on I-35, Highway 1 (Mopac Expressway), Highway 183, and other Texas roadways.