Winter is upon us in the Northern Hemisphere. While a Las Vegas winter may not look like other parts of the country, you may encounter winter driving conditions if you are traveling throughout the winter season. According to the U.S. Department of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 24% of weather-related traffic accidents each year happen on slushy, icy, or snowy roadways; 15% of these accidents happen during sleet or snowfall. Each year more than 1,300 people die, and nearly 117,000 are injured in car crashes that involve winter conditions such as slushy, snowy, or icy roads.
If you expect to drive in winter weather during this season, below are some practical driving tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe.
Staying Safe
The first thing you should do as the seasons change is to complete and go down your car safety checklist. Indeed, keeping your vehicle maintained will help you and others stay safe while driving on the roads. The car’s owner’s manual is the best resource for how you should properly maintain the car. Your vehicle safety check should include the following:
- Check your warning lights;
- Inspect your turn signals and vehicle lights;
- Thoroughly inspect all tires, including the spare;
- Have your brakes and brake pads checked regularly;
- Ensure that windows and windshields are visible and without cracks;
- Check wiper blades to make sure they are flexible and cleaning;
- Oil changes should happen regularly;
Checking your tires is particularly critical when it comes to staying safe on the road–no matter what the weather conditions. There are different types of tires that come with vehicles, including all-season, winter, summer, and all-terrain. Be sure that your car has the right tires for the road conditions that you expect to drive on. Also, it is important for the vehicle to have the right type of tires for that specific car. Once you have confirmed your vehicle has the correct type of tire, it is just as important to make sure you regularly check the tire pressure and tread of each tire and that you regularly follow the tire rotation schedule.
Winter Safety Kit
Before you head out onto the road during the winter months, you should seriously consider packing a safety kit specific to the season. There are many items that you can include, but some of the most common that should go in your safety kit are:
- Portable shovel for snow and ice;
- Ice scraper for your car windows;
- Battery booster cables in case you are stranded;
- Flashlight and batteries;
- First-aid kit;
- Cell phone charger;
- Warm blankets;
- Winter gloves and hats; and
- Several bottles of water.
Contact Our Injury Lawyers
Even if a driver is responsible on the road and upkeeps the maintenance of his or her vehicle, they can still be involved in a Las Vegas accident with resulting injuries and property damage. If you have been hurt in a Nevada car accident due to the fault of another, contact the personal injury attorneys at H&P Law. Our skilled lawyers will fight to protect your rights and seek the best compensation available to you under the law.
