New York motorists were warned that we could be in for a rough winter when it comes to storms and dangerous driving conditions. So far we have been lucky but it could just be the calm before the storm, so to speak. Manhattan car accident attorneys want to remind motorists to prepare for the worst so that you aren’t taken off guard when the snow and sleet start to fall.
Winter driving conditions put motorists at risk of a car accident in Manhattan, Queens or elsewhere because it takes many drivers out of their comfort zone. Sliding on snow and ice or losing control of a vehicle can very easily put most motorists in a panic mode.
The New York State Department of Transportation offers an interactive website to help drivers in difficult driving situations like summer driving, construction zones or winter driving. New York motorists are encouraged to bookmark this page on their browser so that you can be reminded of valuable tips and check back occasionally as new safety experiences are added.
The safe winter driving icon can be clicked and launched to an interactive site which offers tips on how to be prepared, users can take a quiz, view a detailed movie of a skid and view a snowplow cam. It also offers a link for kids only.
Be Prepared: encourages motorists to be prepared for all conditions at any time. Plan ahead by knowing when winter weather is about to hit and making sure your vehicle is in good condition to handle it.
Take the Quiz: is a series of questions about driving in winter weather conditions and how to handle certain situations.
Anatomy of a Skid: users can watch a movie that shows what happens when a vehicle skids from the front or rear wheels and what can be done to counteract the loss of control.
Snowplow Cam: puts users right inside the cab of a snowplow truck and lets you see how blinds spots affect vision and weather conditions make it difficult to operate and maneuver a much larger and less mobile plow truck.
Kids Only: is an animated display of facts and safety tips for kids.
NYDOT also offers these safe driving tips to motorists:
-Allow enough of a cushion between you and a snow plow to stop safely in an emergency if needed.
-Let someone know where you are headed or what time you think you will return when a snow storm hits.
-Only travel as fast as the weather conditions allow.
-Stay alert for black ice or a wintery mix under snow-covered roads. Unexpected patches of ice can cause a vehicle to lose control.
-Keep an emergency supply kit in the vehicle throughout the winter months.
-If you drive into a snow bank, wait for help to arrive rather than risk getting out and getting hit by another motorist passing by.
-Keep a cell phone handy for emergency situations.
When forecasters predict a snow storm, visit Winter Travel Advisory before you travel to get the most up-to-date weather predictions, maps of cleared roadways and weather-related road conditions.
The car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC offer free consultations to car accident victims in Queens, Manhattan and throughout New York City. Call 1-877-313-7673 24 hours a day to speak with someone about your case.
More Blog Entries:
NYC Motorists at Risk of Car Accidents with More Families Traveling this Thanksgiving, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, November 22, 2011.
Winter Driving Increases Risk of New York City Car Accidents, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, December 23, 2010.
