Is Your Car Winter Ready?

Fall is upon us in Colorado, and with the leaves falling and temperatures dropping that can mean only one thing: Winter is coming. With winter right around the corner, it’s important to make sure you (and your car) are prepared for the changing conditions. Just last year it was reported by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) that “preliminary data indicates that traffic fatalities have risen by 54 percent since 2014.” As many of us all know, winter driving only seems to make driving much more of a headache than normal. With these tips, however, you can make sure that getting yourself and the ones you care about from point A to B is as easy as possible.

  • Check out those Tires – Even cars that have all-wheel or four-wheel drive can be prone to slipping and sliding in icy conditions. Make sure you have enough tire tread. Worn-down tires cannot grip the road as easily. You can also invest in snow tires that are specifically made to handle snow/icy conditions.
  • Two’s a Crowd – In inclement weather, cars may not be able to stop as quickly especially if your tires are worn. Be sure to allow extra space for the car in front of you. This can help to allow enough time to break if needed.
  • If the Weather outside is frightful… – In low visibility conditions be sure to drive with caution. Driving too fast in poor conditions can cause a domino effect of sorts with the potential for multiple crashes to occur.
  • Don’t Drive Too Close to the Snowplow – Be sure to give snowplows a wide berth to allow them to safely move snow out of the roadway. If you must pass a snowplow do so on the left, and with extra vigilance, if laws permitting.
  • Do you know what your Winter Emergency Plan is? – If you get stuck in your car during a storm: do not leave! If possible, keep the engine running regularly and wait for help. Make sure you have a winter travel kit with items such as extra blankets, flashlights, water, non-perishable food, first aid kit, shovel, jumper cables, scraper, and sand (to help with traction) that will hold you over until the storm passes or help arrives.

Even with all precautions being taken, we know life happens and accidents do occur. If you or a loved one are involved in an accident, contact our office at (303) 327-9988 to schedule a free consultation and speak with one of our experienced attorneys. You may also visit our practice area page on motor vehicle accidents at https://boesenlaw.com/en/practices/motor-vehicle-accident/  for more information.