Four Tips for Avoiding Car Accidents During Alaska Snow Storms
While winter driving includes slippery, potentially treacherous conditions that lead to auto crashes, the good news is that you can protect yourself and your family by following a few safety tips on driving in snow. You are in a better position to avoid Anchorage, AK car accidents by heeding the following tips:
- Drive “smoothly”: The key to safely navigating a vehicle in snow is coordinating your steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes in harmony with each other and the road. Jerky movements can lead your tires to lose their grip on the road, so operate your vehicle with deliberate, gradual maneuvers. Drive as if you have a scalding cup of coffee sitting in the cup holder.
- Understand what your car is telling you: If you do not know what it means when you see a small, amber flashing light on your dashboard – shaped like a car with veering lines behind it – it is time to learn. This is your stability-control system alerting you that your wheels are starting to slip from the roadway. Ease up on the accelerator while holding your steering wheel steady, which will allow your tires to re-establish.
- Properly deal with skids. Even when you exercise proper precautions, you could still start to feel the sensation of your vehicle sliding. It is possible to manage the skid and regain control depending on the type:
- When your front wheels are slipping, ease off the gas. Then, steer in the direction you want to travel until the tires return to traction.
- For a rear-wheel skid, quickly turn the steering wheel in the same direction that the back of your car is slipping. Stay off the brakes and gradually ease off the gas.
- Make the best use of anti-lock brakes: If circumstances do not give you time to gradually regain control over your vehicle, turn to the anti-lock brake system (ABS). The onboard computer can take over to leverage your car’s braking, just as soon as you apply the brakes firmly and do not let up. The ABS will do the rest to optimize braking effectiveness.
Trust an Alaska Car Accident Attorney to Protect Your Interests
If you were hurt or lost a loved one in an auto collision, your top priority after seeking medical care is consulting with an experienced lawyer. You may be eligible to recover monetary damages from the responsible motorist, including compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Our team at Power & Power Law can assist with the legal process, so contact us to set up a no-cost consultation at our offices in Anchorage, Alaska right away.