Attention Ontarians! It is that time of year again. You would think that since we are use to seeing and experiencing the snowy conditions for almost 6 months out of the year we would adapt our driving habits to the weather, with ease. However, every winter, without fail, our personal injury law firm gets numerous; gut wrenching calls about serious injuries sustained as a result of a car accident. These car accidents; and the injuries they caused, could have been avoided if we all took care to follow safe winter driving tips. So, we would like to provide you with a refresher on how you, your family and your friends can stay safe and avoid accidents by following these 7 winter driving tips.
- It may seem obvious, but the first tip would be to" slow down" and" take your time. When planning out your day or evening, remember to give yourself a little extra time to get to work or school or a scheduled event. Winter conditions can change from light snow to dense squalls in an instant and you need to be able to give yourself room between yourself and the car ahead of you.
- Invest in the proper winter tires or all-season tires. We know that they can be a big expense for most people, but think of the cost of what you could lose if you don't have" good tires" and you got into an accident.
- Clean off your car before heading out on the road. It is extremely important that you have a clear view of what is in front of you, behind you and beside you." Remove all snow and ice from all windows" of your car. Don't forget to clean your wipers! Skip this step and you could experience some serious trouble when the bad conditions hit.
- Avoid slamming on your brakes. Ignore this advice and you could send your car spinning into on-coming traffic. The best practice when wanting to stop your car is to" gradually slow your car down by applying gentle pressure. If you feel yourself sliding, make sure you pump your brakes!
- If you are stopped at a stop sign or at a set of lights, don't quickly accelerate like you would on a normal summer day. Like slowing your car down, it is best to gently apply pressure to your gas pedal and" accelerate slowly. Do not worry about upsetting the person behind you for not getting through a light fast enough. Focus on getting yourself home safe.
- Try and" keep your gas tank at least half full. This can help you to avoid freezing up your gas line. The last thing you want to happen is your car to suddenly be unable to run, especially if you are in the middle of an intersection or on the Highway.
- The simplest way to avoid winter driving conditions and getting into an accident would be to" stay home. If you do not have to be on the road, then it is best if you don't get behind the wheel.
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