Winter Driving Safety Tips

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Spring may be just around the corner, but for now, Texas is experiencing an unusually cold — and wet — winter. Snow, ice, and sleet shut down cities and area schools in North Texas last week, and again this week.

Driving on slick roads isn’t something we get much practice with in Texas; this winter weather makes driving conditions unpredictable and dangerous. In this weather, it’s best to stay home and only venture out on the roads if absolutely necessary.

If you do need to get out, it’s important to know what conditions you might encounter. The Texas Department of Transportation offers the following potential hazardous road conditions to look out for:

• Loss of pavement friction due to wet, snow-covered or icy conditions
• Restricted visibility due to fog, falling rain or vehicle spray
• Lane obstruction due to standing water or plowed or blowing snow
• Infrastructure damage (such as a washed-out road)

If you must get out on the roads in these conditions, follow these winter driving safety tips:

• Slow down. Keep in mind that speed limits are set based on normal road conditions. Winter weather makes the road conditions unpredictable so give yourself some extra time.
• Increase following distance. On ice or snow, TxDOT recommends maintaining a following distance at least three times the normal following distance.
• Stay back at least 200 feet from snow removal equipment.
• Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses, and shaded areas.
• Don’t slam on your brakes. If you start to slide, gently ease off the gas pedal or brakes and turn your steering wheel in the direction of the skid until you regain control.

If you are involved in an accident during winter weather, follow the same protocol: turn off your car engine and turn on hazard lights; do not leave the scene of the accident; call 9-1-1; exchange information; photograph and document the accident; and file an accident report.

If you have been seriously injured or lost a family member in a car accident, contact O’Hare and Koch Law Firm to speak with a Dallas personal injury attorney.

Call O’Hare and Koch Law Firm for your FREE Case Evaluation  

972-960-0000 or Toll-Free 888-960-0020

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Written by:

David Koch

David is a member of the American Bar Association, Texas Bar Association and Dallas Bar Association. He is admitted to practice in all Texas courts, as well as U.S. Federal Courts in the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas. David handles every case like he is helping a member of his own family and has consistently received excellent results for his clients in over 30+ years of practice. He has tried over 50 cases to verdict and has obtained many million+ dollar results for his clients.