What You Should Know About Driving In Austin Under Severe Weather
March 2nd, 2021As Texas and Travis County just experienced a winter storm unlike any other in the state’s history, many individuals and families were left without basic essential utilities and were forced to drive on dangerous roads filled with black ice and sleet.
While Texans and fellow Austinites are used to sunny, warm weather for the majority of the year, many drivers were perhaps unaware of how to adequately drive in these rare situations. This, in turn, can lead to many vehicle-collisions across the state shortly after the time Winter Storm Uri occurred.
In order to understand how poor weather conditions can affect the way we drive, our Austin car accident attorneys at Ramos James Law, PLLC are taking a look at the related car accident statistics, and then to stay safe during these freezing conditions, we will take a look into a few useful tips as well.
Weather-Related Accidents Broken Down
While it is recommended to stay indoors during harsh weather conditions, many drivers are forced to drive through the storm, needing to fulfill a duty such as work, provide food, or assist in an emergency.
When driving in such conditions, many drivers are put at tremendous risk as they drive through wet, slippery, and icy roads, all of which can make operating a vehicle a difficult task.
Based on data collected by the United States Federal Highway Administration, approximately 24% of weather-related traffic accidents that occur tend to occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavements. This kills 1,300 individuals and injures 116,800 on an annual basis.
From that same report, there is also an annual average of 900 fatalities and 76,000 injuries as a result of sleet and snowy road conditions–or around 15% of weather-related crashes in the U.S
Vital Safety Tips When Driving In Severe Weather
1. Check your vehicle for any faulty components: Before heading out, it is important to check if your wheels have sufficient air and meet air pressure standards. Cold temperatures cause air within the tire to contract, meaning less tire pressure. Check your heater, headlights, and brakes to make sure they are fully functionable as well.
2. Carry an emergency kit: Carrying a car emergency kit in your car can save you from a dangerous situation caused by poor weather. Make sure that your utility bag contains jumper cables, ice scrapers, anti-freeze, and blankets just in case.
3. Defog your windows: One of the major factors in these types of accidents tends to be lack of visibility. When driving in harsh weather conditions, it is wise to defog your windows when out on the road during cold weather. Check your vehicle manual to find out how.
4. Avoid sudden braking, and drive with caution: Sudden braking can lead to a vehicle rollover or a collision with another vehicle during fair weather, and during freezing temperatures, this danger is only increased. It is best to drive slowly and carefully at all times.
Austin Car Accident Attorneys Ready to Deliver Civil Justice When You Need It Most!
While we can all take the necessary precautions needed to avoid a car accident during severe weather conditions, there may be some of those on the road that ignore traffic laws and safety precautions, regardless of the weather.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident as a result of a negligent driver, do not hesitate to get in touch with the Austin car accident attorneys of Ramos James Law, PLLC as soon as you possibly can to seek the financial compensation you are entitled to for your physical and mental pain and suffering.