Practice These Tips To Help Avoid Accidents

• Frequently check your side and rear view mirrors for approaching vehicles;
• If you are first in line at a red light, look before entering the intersection on the green light;
• When stopping behind another vehicle allow plenty of time to slow down;
• Brake gently and avoid sudden stops while winter driving;
• When stopping behind a vehicle leave approximately 4 feet between vehicles (a good gauge is to stop while you can still see the rear tires of the vehicle ahead of you);
• Follow posted speed limits – or – if road conditions or weather visibility warrant lower speeds, adjust accordingly;
• Never speed while winter driving;
• Do not engage in distracting activities (i.e. texting, eating, reading, etc.);
• Remove snow off all vehicle windows and the hood before driving;
• Avoid using cruise control and overdrive on icy roads;
• Be extra cautious on bridges and shady spots – they are more prone to icy conditions;
• Most importantly, always wear your seat belt.

Slow Down Alaska

Awareness and preparation increases Alaska Road Safety. Slow Down Alaska. It is much harder to control or stop your vehicle on a slick or snow-covered surface. Always remember that you are not the only one on the road. Avoid hard breaks and never speed into turns. Drivers must give snowplows, large trucks, and emergency vehicles even more space than normal.

Lastly, be prepared for any emergency while winter driving. The temperatures during winter can drop to a staggering -40° F. If you are stranded in these temperatures it is of paramount importance that you have a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle. Items such as jumper cables, tow straps and flashlights are a definite must. Also, all vehicles should have extra blankets and water, as well as both tool and first aid kits.

We hope you and yours enjoy the beautiful snow and the outdoor activities associated with this winter driving season. May you have a fun and safe winter, free of accidents and injuries.

Call Johnson Law at  (907)277-3090 or use our Contact Form to discuss your winter driving motor vehicle crash injury case. We are here to serve you.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans injured in winter driving accidents for 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Image Source: Alaska Car Transport

Before traveling, check your vehicle and increase your vehicle safety. Make sure your car is ready to drive in cold weather. Emergency supplies in your car are essential in case of an accident.

Basic Winterizing Increases Vehicle Safety

If your vehicle isn’t already winterized, do it today.

There are a few basic things Alaskans do to increase vehicle safety through the winter months. The first step is to outfit your vehicle with a battery warmer, an oil pan warmer. The warmers will keep fluids from freezing so that vehicles start during freezing temperatures. Check all fluid levels regularly and use winter weight fluids.

Winter windshield wipers and an ice scraper are also helpful additions to your vehicle safety. Winter wipers help combat ice during winter months and a scraper continually makes itself useful.

If possible, install an auto start system. While not completely necessary, an auto start makes warming vehicles before driving more convenient, thus increasing vehicle safety.

Winter Tires Increases Vehicle Safety

Tires are one of the most important things to consider for vehicle safety during winter months. All season, winter tires, studded tires and even tire chains are all options for better traction in ice and snow.

Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is even more important for vehicle safety, regardless of the tire you choose. When temperatures drop, air pressure in your tire will also drop. It is important to check tire pressure regularly and maintain it at the manufacturer’s recommendations, increasing vehicle safety.

Check the air pressure in your tires to make sure they are at a good PSI. The PSI, or pounds per square inch, varies per vehicle. Poor air pressure in your tires increases the risk for accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2022 more than 550 people died on the road in tire-related crashes.

Before You Drive

Check the fuel level in your gas tank. A full tank is always best, especially when the temperatures drop below zero. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, cold weather affects your vehicle in more ways than you might expect. “Cold weather effects can vary by vehicle model. However, expect conventional gasoline vehicles to suffer a 10% to 20% fuel economy loss in city driving and a 15% to 33% loss on short trips.”

Emergency Supplies In Your Car Increases Vehicle Safety

Prepare your vehicle for severe winter weather. Your vehicle safety gear should include jumper cables, an ice scraper, snow brush, road flares, and extra winter clothing such as blankets, mittens and socks; and a first aid kit. These vehicle safety items are available as pre-packaged sets or custom-built. Other supplies to consider are:

• A bag of sand or non-clumping cat litter to help with traction
• A snow shovel
• A tow strap
• Hand warmers
• Tire gauge

These supplies will be handy in an accident or if you need to pull over in extreme weather. Keep the supplies in your back seat, not your trunk to increase the benefit to your vehicle safety.  The trunk may be damaged in an accident, eliminating access to your supplies. 

Being prepared for the freezing temperatures will increase vehicle safety, keeping you and your loved ones warmer in emergency situations.

This piece on Cold Weather Vehicle Safety is the fifth of a nine-part winter safety series. See our safety tips for Outdoor Winter Walking Safety; Keeping Kids Safe and Warm; Heating Your Home; Driving in Ice and Snow; Snowmachine Safety; Removing Ice and Snow Safely; and Surviving Extreme Cold.

Johnson Law, P.C. has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Please call Johnson Law, P.C. to discuss your case: (907)277-3090 or use our online contact form.

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; U.S. Department of Energy; The Farmers’ Almanac

Image Source: The Farmers’ Almanac

Impaired Driving’s Impact On Holiday Road Travel

The National Safety Council predicts that more than 300 people will die in a car crash during the Christmas and New Year holiday road travel season. In 2022, there were more than 13,000 deaths related to drunk-driving accidents or 32 percent of all traffic fatalities. On average, one person died every 39 minutes in an alcohol-impaired driving crash in 2022. 

 A major cause of holiday road travel deaths is impaired driving. Bad weather also causes accidents. When you add drinking, driving and bad weather together, the mixture can be deadly. These dangers led to Proclamation 10866: National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2024.

Proclamation 10866 of November 29, 2024

Too many families know the pain of losing a loved one to a drunk or drug-impaired driving accident. Each year, more than 10,000 Americans lose their lives in these preventable tragedies. During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we remind everyone that they can save lives by driving only when sober, calling for a ride, planning ahead, and making sure friends and loved ones do the same.

Other Common Factors In Holiday Road Travel Hazards

Distracted Driving: Distracted driving causes traffic crashes when a driver’s focus prevents them from responding to winter driving conditions. Reduce the possibility of accidents during the holiday season, by taking extra precautions and staying focused on the road.

Fatigued Driving: The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year. Exhausted drivers are at risk of falling asleep while driving, which can increase the risk of traffic accidents during holiday travel.

Peak Travel Periods: The number goes up when holidays fall on a weekend and down when Christmas is in the middle of the week. In other words, when fewer people are on the road, fewer people get hurt. Plan your holiday travel to avoid the last-minute rush. It is also wise to avoid winter driving during busy hours.

Alaska Wildlife Crossing: Unique to Alaska and other northern locations, is large animals, such as moose and caribou, crossing highways. Alaska drivers must always remain alert for large animals crossing Alaska roadways.

Arrive Alive

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urges everyone to plan a safe ride home and to always wear a seat belt this holiday season. Slow down and leave plenty of room for stopping. Drive with your headlights on!

Never drive under the influence – not even with a “buzz” … Winter driving, or any driving impaired by a substance – whether alcohol or other drugs – legal or illegal – is against the law throughout the United States, including Alaska. If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 911.

From all of us at Johnson Law, P.C., we wish you a safe and happy holiday season.

Johnson Law, P.C. has been helping Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Information Sources: American Automobile Association; National Safety Council; Federal Register; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; and Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities

Image Source: Alaska Public Media