HOW TO DRIVE SAFELY IN SNOW AND RAIN THIS WINTER

Drivers in Connecticut must prepare for a lot of different road conditions. This is particularly true during the winter months, as snow, rain and ice often make driving dangerous on certain roads.

However, there are some things you can do to increase the chances of a safe trip on snowy or rainy roads.

Making the most of bad conditions

Here are some ways you can improve your safety on roads that are less than ideal:

• Slow down: Even if you don’t do anything else, slowing down allows you to maintain better control over your vehicle. When doing this on the highway, be sure to drive in the right lane. This way, you don’t have to worry about impeding the progress of anyone who is driving faster.
• Be careful of how you accelerate and decelerate: When roadways are wet, your vehicle is more likely to lose traction during fast acceleration or sudden deceleration.
• Leave more space: Generally speaking, you want to leave following distance of three to five seconds between your vehicle and the one in front of yours. On wet roads, you should double this distance for safety and peace of mind. It takes longer to stop your vehicle in wet conditions, so always leave space. You never know when you’ll have to make an abrupt stop.
• Be careful when navigating hills: It doesn’t matter if you’re going up or down a hill, it requires special attention in snowy and icy conditions. For example, you should never attempt to climb a hill that appears to be covered in snow if you’re unsure your vehicle will handle it.
• If possible, wait it out: You may have somewhere to be, but your safety is most important. If you’re not confident in your ability to reach your destination safely, stay home until conditions improve. Sometimes, all it takes is a few hours for road crews to make it safe to travel. It’s worth the wait.
No accounting for other drivers

Even if you’re the type of person who always drives safely in snow and rain, you can’t expect the same thing from others. Another person could cause an accident that results in damage to you or your vehicle.

If this happens, call 911, get treatment at a local hospital and file an insurance claim. You can also visit our website to learn more about your legal rights as an injured driver in the state of Connecticut.