We all know how challenging driving in the winter months in Macon can be. As a team of Macon car accident lawyers, we see a huge increase in the number of cases we deal with during this time of the year. While we will always be here to support you following an accident in the winter, the best approach is to reduce the chance of an accident occurring in the first place. Let’s take a look at some of the top winter car safety tips to keep you and your family safe on the roads in the upcoming months.
Book a Winter Car Service
If you haven’t taken your car to the garage for a winter car service, the time to do that is now. The cold results in far more issues for vehicles, which our team of Macon car accident lawyers often sees accidents as a result of. A winter car service will involve a battery check, light check, oil check, and the use of antifreeze. All of these are essential for driving safely in the winter months. Most cars will need to have their battery replaced roughly every five years. In the cold weather, there’s nothing worse for a driver than to break down in the middle of a long journey. That’s why a winter service is so important at this time of the year, as it will check all of the key areas which can help to avoid an accident.
Prepare for Long Journeys
The winter months are a popular time to visit family and friends. If you didn’t get the chance to see your relatives during the holidays, you’ll want to prepare for your long journeys in advance. A Macon car accident lawyer can tell you how many accidents take place when people head out of town. This is primarily due to driving on new roads, and people are just unaware of the obstacles they might find on their journey. Make sure you switch to winter tires if the ground is icy and slippery. You’ll find these will significantly help reduce the chance of an accident occurring, which no one wants to see at this time of the year.
Pack Emergency Supplies
We highly recommend any car has a winter supply kit in the trunk during the winter months. Add a few blankets to your car in case you find yourself stuck or stranded in the cold weather for an extended period of time. Anyone who works outside should add coats and overalls to the car as well, which can help to protect you if you are in a rush to work one day and forget your protective clothing. We always advocate adding a first aid kit and food supplies to your car, which can keep you safe and healthy while you are waiting for support. Finally, make sure you add the phone number of our team of Macon car accident lawyers, who will always be here to support you if an issue occurs on the roads in the winter.
Use Antifreeze
Make sure you are adding antifreeze with your engine coolant in the winter. When the temperatures start to drop in the colder months, aim for a 50/50 split of antifreeze and water. Make sure these are kept topped up all the time. If the antifreeze starts to become too diluted, it will freeze up and stop doing its intended job. Check this every time you head out for a long journey, as you don’t want to find yourself in a tricky situation a long way from home.
Top Up Your Fuel More Often
For many drivers, you might be surprised to hear this tip in the winter months, but it’s something we highly recommend as a Macon car accident lawyer. The reason for topping up your car more often is to ensure you always have at minimum half a tank of fuel in the winter months. When you are driving long distances, you’ll find that you might not be able to top up for longer than you expect. You don’t want to be stuck without fuel to get to the next rest stop or your final destination. When you are heading out on a long winter journey, check the map ahead of time to plan for your gas stops to avoid issues on the route.
The winter is a busy time of the year for a Macon car accident lawyer. Make sure you keep our phone number to hand at all times, as you never know when an incident might occur during a journey. We’ll be here to support you and your family at any time of the year, no matter what type of accident you are involved in. Contact us today for more information and to discuss any concerns you have about a recent winter accident in Macon or the surrounding area.
