Personal Injury Law

10 Fatal Winter Driving Mistakes

By Jack Lebowitz, Esq. and Vadim Mzhen, Esq.

The winter time can be a deadly time for Washington DC and Maryland motorists if they aren?t careful. Poor visibility and icy roads can only make the outcome of an auto accident, caused by negligent or careless driving, worse. To help prevent fatal auto accidents from occurring in snowy weather and icy conditions, Forbes.com offers a list of 10 common driving mistakes that can prove fatal in the wintertime:

1) Not checking the weather before you get in the car.
2) Driving too fast under current weather conditions. This can cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle on slippery roads.
3) Following too closely behind the vehicle or snowplow equipment in front of you. Allow greater distance between you and the other motorist than you would when there isn?t snow on the road. Do not drive using cruise control when the conditions are wet.
4) Overcorrecting your car on ice.
5) Driving while you?re tired.
6) Driving when there?s poor visibility.
7) Failing to get the car winter ready. Also, make sure you have an extra key that is easily accessible in the event that you get locked out of your vehicle.
8) Driving on back roads.
9) Not carrying an emergency tool with you, such as jumper cables, a spare tire, water, dried food, a cell phone, and warm clothing.
1) Leaving your vehicle if your car stops, which could be the warmest place for you to be.

According to a University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health study:
? Poor weather is a factor in 1.5 million of the car accidents that occur every year, resulting in 800,000 injuries and 7,000 deaths.
? Almost 20% of highway deaths involved poor weather as a factor.
? Driving the day after the year?s first winter storm is the most dangerous day of the year to operate a motor vehicle.

The National Safety Council recommends a number of safety tips for winter driving, including:
? Tune your engine.
? Check your battery.
? Make sure the fluids in your car are at the correct levels.
? Make sure your car is equipped with the proper equipment, including tire chains, a snow scraper, and a snow shovel.
? Have first-aid supplies and a compass with you.

In Depth: 10 Deadly Mistakes Of Winter Driving, Forbes.com

Safe Winter Driving

Related Web Resources:
All-Weather Driving Tips, Road & Travel Magazine

Baltimore, Maryland Weather, Maryland Weather

If you were seriously injured in a Maryland or Washington DC bus crash, car accident, motorcycle collision, or another traffic accident that you believe occurred because someone else was negligent, contact Lebowitz & Mzhen. Our Maryland motor vehicle crash lawyers can help you explore your legal options.

Full post as published by Maryland Accident Law Blog on February 24, 2009 (boomark / email).