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Posted in Car Accidents on November 19, 2019
As the weather cools and the leaves turn, we need to begin to think about driving in wintery weather. Yes, even in Georgia, drivers should always be read to operate in snowy and icy conditions. Drivers in this state are generally unprepared for these situations. Perhaps even more than drivers in Northern states, drivers in Georgia should read and understand the following tips for navigating winter weather.
The truth is that even small amounts of snow and ice can turn normally safe roads into hazardous tracts. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 24% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement, and 15% happen during snowfall or sleep. Every year, more than 900 people are killed and around 76,000 are injured in crashes during wintery conditions. One of the most hazardous situations is the presence of black ice, or a thin layer of transparent ice that may simply look wet, but is really completely frozen over.
When there is a threat of wintery weather, you should:
You may want to put together a winter mobile survival kit. This can include:
Many of the items in a winter weather survival kit are also useful all year long in the event you break down. It is always a good idea to be prepared for roadway breakdowns.
If you can avoid driving in wintery conditions, you should do so. In fact, many businesses and government offices shut down in Georgia at the threat of winter weather. Staying off the road is the surest way to remain safe. However, if you do need to drive in wintery conditions, there are some important tips to follow:
If you are stopped or stalled:
Turn on the car only long enough to warm up the vehicle, and then turn it back off. Typically, it is safe to run the vehicle for about 10 minutes each hour. This helps conserve gas and battery power. When the engine is funning, leave the window slightly cracked in order to ventilate the exhaust and protect you from carbon monoxide poisoning.