Icy Roads Contribute to Increase In Vehicle Rollover and Automobile Accidents - Winter Driving Safety Tips
The Philadelphia car accident and SUV rollover law firm of Reiff & Bily has received a number of calls from operators of SUVs that have rolled over or been involved in serious car accidents as a result of loss of control due to icy roads. Obviously, when roads are icy, the number of vehicle accidents is noticeably higher and normally there is a spike around the first snow fall or icing of the roadways. Afterwards, drivers seem to get used to conditions and adjust accordingly.
Many drivers of SUVs over confidently assume that their vehicles are safer for travel in snowy and icy conditions. However, due to their higher center of gravity, this is simply not the case. While many motorists think that SUVs or other four wheel drive vehicles are the ticket to safety while driving on snow or ice, it turns out that they slip and slide as much if not more than other vehicles. In fact, the operators of many four wheel drive vehicles may be operating their vehicles with a false sense of security and may be over confident on snow or ice which is a dangerous combination. On many snowy roads, there is often an icy undersurface and any breaking, swerving or accident avoidance maneuver can cause the SUV to lose its traction and roll over due to its high center of gravity. The key to staying safe on winter roads isn’t the type of vehicle you drive but using common sense and driving cautiously.
The Philadelphia car accident and SUV rollover lawyers at Reiff & Bily offer the following cautionary winter driving tips:
1. Drive slower. Allow more distance between vehicles and start slowing down sooner when approaching an intersection or traffic light.
2. It is important that your vehicle be equipped with proper winter tires, even if it is a four wheel drive vehicle.
3. If you are stuck in a snow storm, do not leave your car. Run the engine periodically and wait for help.
4. Always make sure that your gas tank is at least half full. It will give you better traction and a bigger margin of error if you get stuck and have to keep the engine running periodically to keep warm.
5. Carry blankets, water, a flashlight, a shovel, some nutrition bars or other food. Winterize your vehicle safety kit by including extra blankets and sand to help stuck tires gain traction, carry jumper cables and an ice scraper and a deicer.
6. Four wheel drive does not mean four wheel stop. A four wheel vehicle will not stop any better in icy conditions, especially if you have inadequate snow tires.
7. Do not driver faster than you can see ahead. High speeds and poor or low visibility can lead to large chain reaction accidents. Remember you cannot see around mountain curves and corners.
8. Always check for the latest weather reports and road conditions before traveling on winter roadways.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident or SUV rollover accident please contact the Philadelphia car accident and SUV rollover lawyers at Reiff & Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.
