The New York State Winter Travel Advisory System has been activated for the 2012 – 2013 winter season.
This system helps relay information about some of our most traveled roads. This formation includes weather conditions, traffic conditions and ice and snow plow operations.
The system offers drivers with a color-coded map of all of our major highways, indicating problem areas. Officials with the New York State Department of Transportation and our Queens personal injury attorneys are asking drivers to avoid traveling when the winter weather makes it dangerous. In cases when travel is necessary, you’re asked to take all of the proper safety precautions to help to assure a safe arrival.
Winter driving can be inconvenient, annoying, even infuriating. Fortunately, you can offset those aggravations and minimize the special risks of winter driving. Review the following tips to help to make your trip as safe as possible.
Make sure you have an emergency kit in your car, including:
-Jumper cables.
-First-aid supplies.
-Tow chain or strap.
-Ice scraper.
-Warning devices.
-Extra blankets.
-Water.
-Nonperishable food items.
-Brightly-colored cloth to signal for help.
-A cell phone.
-Emergency information.
It’s important that you always keep your gas tank at least half-full to prevent your gas line from freezing. You also never want to use your cruise control when traveling in dangerous conditions.
Not only are the roadways more difficult to drive on during the winter season, we’re also dealing with fewer hours of daylight. Make sure you plan your driving time when the sun is shining. This reduces your risks for accidents resulting from low visibility and from drowsiness.
Before you head out, make sure your car is in good condition. Put on your snow tires. Make sure the fluids, the belts and the windshield wipers on your car are all in good-working order. Check your tires, too. You want to make sure that they’re all properly inflated and aren’t too worn.
When the roads are icy or snowy, your best bet is to slow down. In these conditions, your vehicle is much more likely to slide out of control. By slowing it down, you’ll have better control over your vehicle and you’ll be better off when reacting to roadway dangers.
You also want to keep an eye out for snow plows. When driving near these vehicles, slow it down. You never want to travel too closely. They have large blind spots, so many sure that you can see the driver at all times.
In 2011, there were more than 307,000 motor vehicle accidents reports in the state of New York. In these accidents, there were close to 1,200 people who were killed, according to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles. Many of these accidents happened on snowy and icy roadways. Most of them were preventable, too!
If you or someone you love has been injured, contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case. Call 1-877-313-7673 today!
More Blog Entries:
NYC Traffic Accidents in Focus as Holidays Approach, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, November 19, 2012
New York Cell Phone Tickets & Your Car Insurance Premiums, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, November 6, 2012
