Temperatures are dropping across the United States and putting Florida into a deep freeze. While meteorologists are avoiding using the term “polar vortex,” the country is experiencing a repeat of last winter’s weather pattern where the jet stream dipping in from Canada brought cold temperatures and bad weather for drivers.
The strong cold front blasting down the peninsula is bringing freeze warnings for many counties. And temperatures for the Tallahassee area are forecast to drop below 32 degrees on several mornings.
Ice can present a challenge to drivers, especially those in Southern Georgia and Tallahassee, where drivers do not have to face such conditions very often. That is why it is important for drivers to consider the following tips for driving in potentially icy conditions:
- Make sure your vehicle is prepared— wintery conditions, such as wet, cold, and icy weather, can cause vehicles to have mechanical problems. To reduce the chance of an accident being caused by a vehicle malfunction, drivers are encouraged to get their vehicle a fall checkup, which includes an inspection of the car’s battery, ignition system, lights, brake system, exhaust system, heating/cooling system, windshield and wipers, as well as the vehicle’s tires.
- Make sure the driver is prepared— drivers should review winter driving safety techniques to make sure they recall the proper steps to take when encountering dangerous weather conditions. Safety tips for drivers include:
- make sure that visibility is maintained by clearing any ice or sleet from the hood, roof, lights, and windows;
- run the defroster to prevent moisture from fogging the windshield when warm air hits the cold beglass;
- keep vehicle speed low and avoid driving too fast for conditions;
- pull over if conditions become too difficult for driving;
- ease out of parking spaces to avoid spinning the vehicle’s wheels;
- be aware that bridges become icy before roadways;
- increase following distance to 8-10 seconds on wet pavement (normal following distance on dry pavement is 3-4 seconds);
- stay in the lane that has been cleared most recently or the one that appears to provide the most clear driving conditions;
- avoid changing lanes in order to avoid a potential loss of control when driving over parts of the road where tire friction may not have been able to melt ice build-up; and
- remember that sudden braking can lead to loss of control over the vehicle.
Tallahassee Lawyers Help Winter Weather Car Accident Victims
With the possibility of ice in Southern Georgia and the Tallahassee area, drivers are encouraged to take extra precautions, especially when driving early in the morning, when temperatures are likely to be lower.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to another driver’s reckless or careless winter driving, it is important to protect your legal rights to recover for your medical bills, doctor bills, prescription medication costs, pain and suffering, rehabilitation and therapy costs, and property damage. Call the knowledgeable and helpful Tallahassee car accident attorneys at Fasig & Brooks today at (850) 222-3232 or use our online contact form to reach us and take advantage of our free, no-obligation consultation. We help clients throughout Florida and South Georgia, including Ft. Walton Beach, Gretna, Havana, Jacksonville, Gadsden County, Miami, Panama City, Pensacola, Quincy, and the metro-Tallahassee area.
