Winter Driving Safety Tips

With winter here in Pennsylvania, now is a good time to refresh your knowledge of safe winter driving practices. Most Pennsylvania drivers know to driver a bit slower and keep a longer following and stopping distance when the weather gets cold and snowy, due to the high number of accidents that occur during the winter months.

But do you know what exactly causes these types of accidents? Here is a list of the most common causes of accidents in the wintertime and how to stay safe on the road over the next couple months:

Snow And Ice

Drivers in Pennsylvania know that snow and ice are not uncommon during this time of the year, and unfortunately snow and ice can bring more car accidents. Slick roadways can cause rear end accidents, spin-out collisions and accidents in intersections when people cannot stop in time. Black ice is often one of the main causes of these types of accidents, so it’s important to use extra caution and ensure your tires have enough tread when driving in slick, winter conditions.

Low Visibility

Falling snow can also impact visibility on the roads making it difficult to see even a few feet in front of your car. This can cause lane drifting and other types of visibility-related accidents like rear-end and other collisions. Be sure your windshield wipers and defrost systems are in good shape to help you increase your visibility in the colder months.

Drunk Drivers

Many holidays fall in the winter months and people may try to keep warm with an alcoholic drink or two. Unfortunately, this means a higher chance of encountering a drunk driver on the roads in the winter. Avoiding traveling near bar closing times and staying vigilant while driving at any time can help you avoid a dangerous accident with an intoxicated driver.

There are a variety of extra dangers on the road when it starts to get colder and accidents are not uncommon around these times. Nearly 76,000 people are injured in winter-related car accidents each year. Stay vigilant and keep safe using these driving tips this winter.