As reported by the Kansas City Star, a pair of brothers, Cameron Tate and Carson Tate, reported “complete chaos” on local roads due to a major winter storm that recently rolled through our region. Unfortunately, many crashes—including a fatal collision—were attributed to the storm. In this blog post, our Kansas City car accident attorney explains why winter weather is so dangerous for highway travel and offers safety tips that drivers can use to avoid ending up in a serious crash.
Winter Weather is Extremely Dangerous for Highway Travel
Winter weather conditions can be extremely dangerous for motorists—especially on highways. When temperatures drop and a storm rolls through, snow and ice can accumulate rapidly. The adverse conditions can lead to reduced tire traction and increasing risk of skidding and collisions. Beyond that, visibility is often severely reduced by falling or blowing snow. It can make it difficult for drivers to see road signs, other vehicles, and potential roadway hazards.
Four Winter Driving Safety Tips for Motorists in Kansas City
1. Ensure that Your Vehicle has the Right Tires
Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that actually makes contact with the road. It is imperative that you have the proper tires on your vehicle for winter weather travel. The right tires can make a dramatic difference. Winter tires are designed with special tread patterns and softer rubber compounds in order to preserve traction.
2. Stay Off the Roads When Conditions are the Worst
In some cases, it is too dangerous to travel at all. As a best practice, avoiding travel during severe winter storms is the best safety tip. In Kansas City, heavy snow, blowing snow, and any amount of accumulating ice can create downright treacherous driving conditions. If possible, wait until the roads have been plowed and treated before heading out.
3. Reduce Your Speed to Adjust for Poor Weather
Speed matters. Slowing down is crucial when driving in snowy or icy conditions. Lower speeds give you more time to react if you need to stop suddenly. Further, the slower that you are going, the easier it is to avoid a skid when trying to come to a stop.
4. Try to Be Very Easy on the Brakes (Skidding Risk)
One of the most common mistakes that inexperienced drivers make is overreacting and slamming on the brakes during winter weather driving conditions. Gentle braking is key to avoiding skids on icy roads. Instead of applying sudden pressure to the brakes, use a slow, steady squeeze.
Schedule Your Free Case Review With a Kansas City Winter Weather Crash Lawyer Today
At House Law LLC, our Kansas City car accident attorney has the knowledge and experience that you can trust even in complex cases. If you or someone you care about was hurt in a winter weather collision, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free case review. From our Kansas City law office, we handle winter-weather car accident injury claims in Missouri and Kansas.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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