Just last week, winter storm Leon left thousands of Atlanta motorists stranded on icy highways, and brought the entire city to a grinding halt for several days. The drivers of tractor trailers and passenger vehicles alike found themselves unprepared for the disaster—but perhaps not so unprepared as Atlanta’s government agencies, who spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday explaining how they weren’t to blame for the events of “Snow Jam 2014.”
Whether or not Atlanta itself is prepared for the next “winter event,” Atlanta drivers can use the tips offered by personal injury attorneys Geoff Pope and Marc Howard to stay safe on the road during severe winter weather.
Winter Weather Driving Tip No. 1: Keep your gas tank at least half full.
In the event of severe winter weather, it is important to keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent the gas line in your vehicle from freezing. A full gas tank may also be helpful in case of a traffic jam, as many Atlanta drivers learned last week.
Winter Weather Driving Tip No. 2: Don’t try to force a vehicle up a hill.
Stepping on the gas in an attempt to conquer icy or snow-covered hills in Atlanta will only leave your wheels spinning. Instead, try to build up a little inertia before you reach the hill, and allow that to carry you to the top.
Winter Weather Driving Tip No. 3: Keep your distance, and move slowly.
While this may seem like common sense in any weather, it is especially important in case of icy roads. By applying the gas slowly, you can maintain traction and avoid dangerous skids.
If you are driving on the highway in inclement weather, it is also important to place extra distance between your vehicle and tractor trailers. Because of their size, it already takes large trucks extra time to stop—in icy or snow-covered roads, it can time up to 12 times longer for a tractor trailer to come to a complete stop.
Winter Weather Driving Tip No. 4: If you can keep moving, do so.
It is far more difficult to restart movement after a full stop than it is to keep a car rolling. If you’re driving in town, try to slow down enough so that you can keep the vehicle moving until a traffic light changes. On the highway, avoid stopping unless you are stuck in gridlock traffic.
Winter Weather Driving Tip No. 5: If possible, stay home.
If you don’t have to leave your home, don’t. Even if you are an expert at driving in the snow, chances are that most drivers in Atlanta aren’t. In the case of severe winter weather, it is better to be safe than sorry.
About Pope & Howard, P.C.
Founded in 2005 by Marc Howard and Geoff Pope, Atlanta-based trial law firm Pope & Howard, P.C. specializes in tractor trailer accidents, construction site injuries, severe auto accident injuries, and other cases of catastrophic personal injury. To learn more, visit the firm online atwww.popehoward.com.
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