In Chicago – and the rest of the Midwest – winter has arrived, bringing with it snow, ice, and cold temperatures. At Ankin Law Offices, LLC, our Chicago accident and injury lawyers are dedicated to promoting safety – especially during winter months when conditions are more hazardous.
The following are some tips for staying safe during cold weather months:
• Avoid drinking and driving. Not only can drunk driving make you liable for any alcohol-related accidents, but you can also wind up in jail if your BAC exceeds the legal limit. Motorists should NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE, regardless of the weather and road conditions.
• Allow extra time to reach your destination and take extra precautions. Roadways are often made more treacherous by snow, ice, and salt. When conditions are less than ideal, motorists should reduce their speed, allow plenty of room between vehicles, and brake gently to avoid skidding. Not only are roadways more treacherous, but walkways can also
be more dangerous when they are covered with snow and ice. Pedestrians should also allow extra time to reach their destination and take extra care when walking in snow and ice.
• Make sure your vehicle is winterized. Make sure that your car’s tires are in good condition, with adequate air pressure. You should also ensure that your car’s battery is properly charged at all times and top off washer fluids regularly.
• Keep winter survival supplies in your vehicle. Several items should be kept in your car during winter months, including water, blankets, first aid kit, flashlight with batteries, flares, battery booster cables, an ice scraper, shovel, and traction mats or salt/sand.
• Do not pass snow plows and sanding trucks. While it may be frustrating to drive behind these slow-moving vehicles, the roads are often safer behind these trucks than in front of them. Moreover, truck drivers have limited visibility, making it dangerous to pass them.
• Always avoid distracted driving. Distracted driving is responsible for thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries each year. Among those killed or injured in distracted driving accidents, nearly 1,000 deaths and 24,000 injuries cited cell phone use as the major distraction. Texting, emailing, or talking on a cell phone should be avoided at all times, especially during winter months when weather and road conditions require more focus and attention.
• Install a working carbon monoxide detector. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most carbon monoxide poisonings happen in January and the second most happen in December. Carbon monoxide detectors can save lives, but less than one-third of American homes have one installed. You should make sure that your home has a properly working carbon monoxide detector and replace its batteries regularly.
• Be extra cautious when participating in winter sports. According to the National Safety Council, in 2009 alone, over 16,000 Americans were treated for head injuries sustained while engaged in some kind of winter sport, such as skiing, sledding, snowboarding, and snowmobiling.
