How to Stay Safe on Dangerous Illinois Roads

 Posted on October 25, 2013 in Personal Injury

Now that the weather is cooling off and the rain is coming down, the roads are becoming more dangerous. Rain begins to freeze and turn to snow or hail, so the roads get slippery in the fall and winter seasons. It is important to drive cautiously to keep yourself safe from a possible car accident and Illinois personal injury claim. The Weather Channel has shared some tips for staying safe on dangerous roads. The easiest way to stay out of harm's way when road conditions are bad is to remain indoors, but if you must go somewhere, here are some driving tips. If you are driving on icy roads:

• When stopping at a light or for traffic, begin stopping early and leave plenty of room behind the car in front of you. Use three times the space normally taken to brake.
• Use your lights on even in the middle of the day. If snow or rain is heavy, visibility will not be clear.
• Avoid cruise control on icy roads.
• Do not assume that your car can handle the roads, even four-wheel drive vehicles can have difficulties.
• Keep your windows and lights clear of debris or snow.
• Be cautious on bridges and less-busy roads because they will freeze faster than others.
• Do not pass snow plows or salt/sand trucks. The roads may be even worse in front of them.

If your rear wheels are skidding:

1. Remove your foot from the gas pedal.
2. Steer the car in the direction that you want the front wheels to go, which would be in the same direction that your back wheels are sliding.
3. If your car begins to turn too far in the opposite direction, steer opposite again, but less harshly. You may have to steer back and forth a few times before regaining control.
4. Pump your brakes, unless you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), in which case you should push hard on the brake pedal so that you feel your brakes pulsing. (Most modern vehicles have ABS.)

If you get stuck:

• Do not spin your wheels; the area that you are stuck in will only get deeper.
• Gently turn your steering wheel to either side to push the snow away.
• Lightly apply pressure to the gas to ease your car out of the snow or mud.
• Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels.
• Sand, kitty litter, gravel, and salt can all be used to create traction in the path of the wheels.
• Rocking the car may help. Driving forward and then in reverse repeatedly can get a car loose.

These tips will help you avoid trouble in bad driving conditions, but sometimes car accidents are unavoidable. If you have gotten into an automobile accident, contact Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices for assistance. These experienced Illinois accident attorneys will know what to do to help you file a claim against someone who may have caused you harm.