Poor driving conditions caused by bad weather have resulted in as many as 7000 fatal accidents along with 800,000 injuries, and in excess of 1.5 million vehicles crash year after year in this country. According to insurance agents, the number of auto insurance claims spikes steeply in the cold weather season compared to the other seasons of the year. The increase in the number of claims during winter is definitely because of the road condition that exists in cold weather months. This could be because a lot of people are accustomed to driving in the summer.
Although it is difficult to believe that the driving performance changes during bad weather, some questionable habits of driving like taking sharp turns at high speeds or speeding, and following vehicles very closely contributes to the increases. Therefore, a lot of collisions happen as a combination of both human error, accentuated by hazardous driving or road conditions. Heavy snow also can bring down power lines, and trees that can lead to comprehensive claims from auto insurance holders.
There are some tips for drivers to stay safe in the winter, especially during the hazardous months to reduce the risk of accidents to a great level. You must ensure that your vehicle is ready for winter. You can get it checked by a competent mechanic for things like anti-freeze brakes, critical systems, headlights and battery. A good idea is to buy tires made for winter or ensure that your vehicle tires are inflated properly, and are in good condition. In the winter, it is always a good idea to reduce travel as much as possible. If you have to go on the road, leaving early would give you more time to reach your destination, so that you don’t have to drive fast at any point. It is also important to be cautious while driving.
Black ice and many other hazardous road conditions can come up without a warning. You might be prepared for such conditions, but other drivers might not be prepared as well as you. It is also better if your review your auto insurance policy so that you are ready for the claim procedures if you need to. You must speak with an insurance agent, and ensure that the coverage types you need are mentioned, along with the limits, and deductibles that you have chosen.
