Episode 117: Calloway County injury attorney Jeff Roberts offers some bad weather driving tips, based on his 33 years of handling car wrecks, motorcycle accidents and trucking collisions. These tips are something to remind you of certain issues, as the winter weather gets closer. They are also something you can share with younger drivers to keep them safe on the roads and highways when driving on snow and ice.
It’s a Good Time to Check the Mechanical Condition of Your Car
This certainly refers to the various fluids your car requires, such as anti-freeze, wiper fluid, and oil levels. As the weather gets colder, check the air pressure in your tires. You may need to add air because of the cold weather.
If you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle, put some weigh in the backend. This could be sandbags, or other heavy objects to help your traction. The condition of your tire treads is even more important as we prepare for snow.
Check your windshield wiper blades. If they smear the rain or fail to completely clean your windshield, it’s going to be even more of a problem once we have snow and slush on the road.
Take Time to Scrape Your Windows
Before we begin to get frost and ice on the windshield, this is a good time to make sure you have a dependable scraper in the car. You may have taken it out of the car during the summer, or possibly lost it. Jeff explains the importance of fully clearing all of the windows on the car. You need visibility, especially from the sides. It’s important to be able to see traffic at the intersection, especially if they are having trouble stopping. If you enter the intersection before the cross-traffic as completely stopped, you could get t-boned, resulting in serious injuries.
It’s not safe to just scrape a small section of your windshield. Unfortunately, many people continue to drive with limited visibility. This presents a safety risk to the driver and passengers in your car, as well as the others on the road when driving on snow and ice.
Jeff mentions that there are times when the weather seems good as you’re leaving to go to work. However, later that day, a snowstorm can pass through and cover your windows with sleet, snow and freezing rain. You’ll be glad you took a few minutes to make sure you had an ice scraper in the car.
The Murray/Calloway County Weather Facebook Page
Jeff recently has begun sponsoring an add on the severe weather alerts you may see, if you’re following the Murray/Calloway County Weather Dude on Facebook. Follow that page to get local, severe weather warnings.
Avoiding Accidents in Winter Driving Conditions
Jeff begins by advising you to consider staying home if there’s winter weather and you don’t absolutely have to go out. When the roads get hazardous, the best place you can be is inside and off of the roads.
Murray has been recognized as one of the friendliest small towns in America. If you have to go out during bad weather, consider checking in with an elderly neighbor or others who may not be able to leave their home to get to the grocery or pharmacy. It’s a good way to look out for your friends and neighbors.
Slow Down when Driving on Snow and Ice
We’ve been used to driving on dry pavement for the past several months. However, during the winter, you need to remind yourself to slow down when driving on snow and ice. You may have forgotten how your car reacts in the winter while driving on snow and ice.
This is also time to increase your distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you. It’s going to take you longer to stop and avoid hitting another car. It’s better to take a little longer to get where you’re going, rather than winding up in a traffic accident.
Pause when entering an intersection. You want to be sure the other vehicles have come to a stop. At the same time, start off slowly to ensure your tires don’t lose traction when you begin moving.
As you approach an intersection, remember to begin slowing down before you come to a stop sign or traffic light. You don’t want to cause your vehicle to begin sliding because you suddenly hit your brakes.
Ice on Bridges and Overpasses
Jeff warns us to remember the signs we often see about how bridges and overpasses can freeze before the rest of the roadways. Even if the road are just wet, the cold air passing underneath and over the surface of a bridge or overpass can cause those sections to freeze. This can take you by surprise, because the rest of the roads didn’t show signs of ice and snow.
At the same time, it’s important to realize that while you may be a safe driver, the people next to you may not have the same awareness or common sense. If the other car loses traction and begins to slide, it can place the cars around it in immediate danger.
Avoid Using Cruise Control in Bad Weather Conditions
When you’re using cruise control, it can quickly accelerate going up a hill or in other situations. This change can cause a dangerous driving situation. At other times, to retake control from the system, you have to tap your brakes, if you do it too hard, you could also cause your car to go into a slide.
It’s better to avoid using cruise control in bad weather conditions. It can also help you go remain more alert, while you’re driving.
Plan Your Route before You Leave
Many of us know certain short cuts that may normally take us through the backroads to get where we need to go. Unfortunately, many of those backroads don’t get plowed as quickly as the main roads. You could quickly find yourself in a dangerous situation, especially if you slide off the road or get stuck while driving on snow and ice.
In Calloway County, stick to highway 94, highway 121, highway 80 and 641. These are primary roads that will get plowed before backroads and neighborhood streets. It may take you a little longer to get there, but you’ll have a better chance of arriving safely. If you are involved in a car wreck, there’s a higher likelihood that first responders will be able to get to the crash site quicker.
Safety Accessories for Your Car
Always make sure your cell phone is properly charged, so you can call for help, if needed. If you’re traveling on highways and interstates, make sure your gas tank is full. Try to avoid letting your gas get below a quarter tank. You may get stuck waiting for traffic to clear from a wreck, a multi-car collision, or you could experience mechanical problems.
It’s a good idea to toss a blanket (or two) in the backseat. Consider filling a gym bag with some bottled water and some food. It’s a good idea to include a toboggan, a fresh pair of warm socks and gloves.
Animals in the Roadways – Stay Alert
Deer traffic can be a risk during the fall and winter. The risk increases around daybreak and sunset. Be vigilant. Deer are inhabiting areas where you might not expect them. Collisions with animals can cause significant injuries and damage to your vehicle.
Know How to Use You Defrost to Improve Visibility
Earlier, we discussed scraping snow and ice from all 4 sides of your car’s windows. It’s also important that you’re familiar with how to properly operate your defrost for the inside of your windows. You may need to roll down your window a small amount to assist with cloudy windows.
At the same time, if you’re just getting into the vehicle, take a few minutes to let your windows completely defrost. You’ll be glad you have the extra visibility as you approach intersections and parking lots.
We hope you found this episode insightful and helpful.
Thank you for listening!
What Do Other Clients Think About Jeff?
We always encourage listeners to read the Google Reviews Jeff Roberts has received from many of his clients. A 5-Star rating and the comments are earned recognition and demonstrate Jeff’s commitment to his clients. As a solo attorney, he has more Google Reviews than some firms with multiple attorneys. Jeff shares the credit with his staff at the Roberts Law Office. Successfully representing injured clients is a team effort. It’s why Jeff likes to say his firm offers small town service with big city results.
Jeff Roberts Represents Injured Clients Throughout Kentucky
With offices located in Calloway County (Murray) and now in Christian County (Hopkinsville), Jeff has a history of representing personal injury clients, workers’ compensation clients and social security disability clients across the state. He’s represented clients from Paducah, Bowling Green, Louisville, Covington, Whitesville and many other Kentucky locations. He’s not just a Western Kentucky injury attorney.
Is It Time to Speak with an Attorney about Your Car Wreck Injury Claim?
The office phone number is (270) 753-0053 or toll free at 800-844-5108. For more information, visit www.JeffRobertsLaw.com. This podcast is meant to provide information and is not legal advice. Jeff’s principal office is located at 509 Main Street, Murray, Kentucky. Co-host Jim Ray is a non-attorney spokesperson. This is an advertisement.
