Winter is here in Eastern Connecticut, meaning drivers will need to take extra precautions when driving on snowy or icy roads. The following are some common causes of wintertime car accidents.
Speeding, tailgating and poor handling on hills
When winter weather strikes, it is important to slow down. Your vehicle will not have the traction on snow or ice than it does on clear roads. This may mean driving below the posted speed limit. It also means accelerating and decelerating slowly as it takes longer to slow down on slick roads.
It is important not to tailgate when driving in winter weather. It is advisable to keep a five- to six-second following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. This provides a greater stopping distance. Tailgating can lead to rear-end collisions in winter (and other times of the year).
In winter, you should not try to power up hills. Instead, you should attempt to get some inertia going into a hill that will carry you over the hill. Then proceed down the hill slowly.
Winter weather makes driving dangerous. If you must drive in winter weather, it is important to do so safely. Negligent driving can lead to car accidents that cause injuries or even fatalities.
