Helpful Tips from Griff Harris of Griffith E Harris Insurance Services
According to the National Highway Safety Administration – winter weather conditions are responsible for 17% of all vehicle crashes. Also, AAA assists approximately 32 million stranded motorists every year due to weather related incidents.
Being prepared is critical to avoid accidents and collisions. Below is a helpful list of measures to take when Mother Nature is testing your skills:
- Avoid driving in hazardous conditions when you are tired and fatigued.
- Never warm up a vehicle inside your garage or enclosed area.
- Make certain your tires are properly inflated and have adequate tread for traction.
- Make certain the your battery is checked regularly to ensure that it is strong enough to function in extremely cold weather conditions.
- Avoid braking on icy roads. Try to brake well ahead of stop signs and traffic lights, preferably on areas of clear pavement. Do NOT slam on the brakes. Braking gradually is safer.
- Don’t stop if you can avoid it. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until the traffic light changes, without getting too close to vehicles ahead of you…. Do it!
- Don’t over accelerate up hills. Apply extra gas on snow covered roads will cause the wheels to spin and you will lose your momentum.
- Never use Cruise Control on slippery roads. Cruise Control will cause you to lose the ability to transfer more weight to the front tires by simply lifting your foot from the accelerator.
- Avoid unnecessary lane changes. Lane changes increase the chances of hitting an icy patch of pavement.
And lastly (and my favorite)
- STAY HOME. If you really don’t need to go out in slippery road conditions, then DON’T . Don’t tempt fate.
To find make sure you are properly insured for while driving this winter, contact Griffith E. Harris Insurance Services, LLC
Credit: National Underwriter Property & Casualty Magazine
Brought to you by Griffith E. Harris Insurance Services, LLC
