Five Holiday Driving Tips That Can Ice Crash Risks
Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) November 25, 2013 -- In Southern California, snow isn’t a concern for most citizens. Even as it begins to fall in various other parts of the country, residents in Los Angeles and nearby environs are able to focus on other matters.
On lengthy road trips, though, even persons who live in otherwise warm climes have to worry about snowfall. With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, citizens not necessarily used to winter weather will be taking to potentially icy roads in droves, and if they’re not careful, an accident could be a distinct possibility.
The lawyers of the Nagelberg Bernard Law Group have seen far too many holiday celebrations derailed by automobile accidents, and they want to make sure the roads are safe for all commuters during the holidays. Attorney Larry Nagelberg has directed his team to compile tips that can eliminate personal injury risks:
“An auto accident can be devastating at all times of the year,” said Mr. Nagelberg, “but the tragedy holds an especial sting when families have to spend their holidays in a hospital or worse. My hope is that anyone who travels outside a familiar environment to celebrate the holidays with their loved ones will start preparing now to make their journey as safe as it could be.”
For those who are going to be taking to icy or snowy roads in the coming days and weeks, the following tips could help improve safety:
•It’s All In The Timing- Driving through a blizzard or on an ice-encrusted road is difficult even under normal circumstances, but the danger is increased dramatically when it gets dark outside. Drivers may not be able to stop in time for obstacles and the hindrance to visibility could lead to a calamitous automobile collision.
Drivers should plan to head out on longer trips early in the morning so that daylight driving hours are maximized. Check up on weather conditions through a site like Weather.com. If a winter storm is imminent, travel plans may need to be delayed a day or two. It’s better to carve into a turkey on Friday than to have a surgeon have to carve into you on Thursday.
•There’s A Map For That- Accidents happen when drivers get lost on the way to a destination, a situation that’s all too common as members of the family struggle to remember how to navigate the winding road to Aunt Bertha’s house.
Map out your route long beforehand. Have a passenger who can announce turns to you, and if ever you do get lost, it’s better to have someone else look up the correct route. Pull over to the side of the road if doing so can eliminate distractions, and gather your wits about you before heading out anew.
•Ice? Ice, Maybe- Black ice poses a serious hazard to all drivers, not just those who are unaccustomed to driving on winter roads. What distinguishes this type of formation from other types of ice, and what leads to its name, is how hard it is to see. A person could be right on top of a patch of black ice but not realize it until their wheels go skidding like they’re on a skating rink.
When driving through wintry environments, be of the mind that black ice is always present. Keep your eyes on the road ahead, and use extra caution on underpasses and overpasses.
•Know Limits, Not No Limits- If at any point you’re uncomfortable navigating a blizzard, the wisest move is to pull into a rest area or somewhere it would be safe to remain until the storm passes. Before you even leave your home, plot out potential stops along the way, and have a supply kit available in case you’re stuck longer than you’d hope.
•Cruising Doesn’t Give You Control- On long trips, many people elect to take advantage of the cruise control systems on their vehicles. Unfortunately, this can be dangerous when the road is wet or icy. A driver’s reaction when the vehicle fishtails is to reduce speed and tap the brakes, but the cruise control may mistakenly increase speed, exacerbating an already perilous situation.
The answer should be clear: refrain from using the cruise control, allowing your own abilities and reactions to carry you to your destination safely.
“And as always, refrain from texting, telephoning, tweeting, or checking your Facebook while driving- regardless of the weather. That way, you can tweet ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ when you arrive safely at your destination."
The Nagelberg Bernard Law Group represents the victims of numerous types of personal injury accidents, including automobile accidents, dog bites, slip and fall incidents, defective products, and wrongful death in any of the above. They have guided injured persons through the legal process for more than 30 years and their efforts have helped secure more than $400 million in compensation for clients. Free consultations and a host of personal injury resources can be found by visiting this link.
Larry Nagelberg, Nagelberg Bernard Law Group, http://nblawoffices.com, +1 (323) 653-3600, [email protected]
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