Snowy weather always proves dangerous in Virginia. While our friends to the north may tease us for not knowing how to drive during a blizzard, it’s important to know how to stay safe even during a light dusting of snow.
In 2018, there were nearly 400 reported snow-related crashes in Richmond alone. These crashes are especially dangerous, as drivers don’t have control of their vehicles, and the conditions make it difficult to see any wrecks on the road.
When it starts snowing in Virginia, don’t panic. If you can, try to stay home and off the roads. But if you must venture out, remember a few of these tips to take care of yourself and your fellow drivers this winter.
1. Be Prepared
While we may not often get 3 feet of snow in Virginia, slippery roads and car failures can leave you stranded in the freezing cold. Because of this possibility, it’s always important to be prepared for the worst.
Here are some things to do and bring with you before you head on the icy roads:
- Always keep you gas tank at least half full
- Bring a flashlight
- Keep a snow shovel and ice scraper handy
- Bring extra supplies, like water, blankets, warm clothes
- Never forget your booster cables in case your engine won’t start
While you can’t plan for everything, you can at least keep yourself warm while you wait for help on the side of the road.
2. Drive Cautiously
One of the biggest mistakes Virginia drivers make is they don’t adjust their driving habits for the ice and snow. Without accounting for the dangerous conditions, many drivers lose control of their vehicles and cause terrible accidents
Snow and ice make the roads especially slippery, making it difficult to brake, accelerate and steer your vehicle. That’s why you should always drive slowly and stay alert. Be aware of what’s coming ahead by reducing your distractions. That means no texting and driving or jamming out to your favorite holiday tunes.
3. Don’t Panic When Your Skid
When driving on an icy road, your vehicle is bound to lose traction at some point. While your first instinct might be to slam on the brakes or jerk the steering wheel, that’s actually the worst thing you can do.
If your vehicle starts to skid on the road, remain calm and remember these tips:
- Let your foot off the accelerator, but keep off the brakes
- Look where you want to go: safely back on the road
- Slowly begin to accelerate in that direction
If you’ve been following the last few steps, you should be able to regain control of your vehicle.
Stay Smart and Stay Safe!
Once again, if you have the ability to stay home during snowy or icy weather, then do so! While you can drive safely, you can never account for the other drivers around you. The more vehicles on the road, the more likely a crash could happen.
If you do happen to get into a car accident, it is important to have comprehensive car insurance. Sanford Insurance offers not only an affordable car insurance plan, but we also strive to be personable.
Located in Richmond, we can quickly respond to your accident and protect you from the high vehicle repair and medical costs. Contact us to get a quote on your auto insurance.
Sources:
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a25350719/how-to-drive-in-winter-snow-safely/
https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/#.X85KP9hKiUk
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/driving-in-snow-tips-for-staying-safe
https://www.idrivesafely.com/driving-resources/how-to/drive-in-the-snow/