Keeping Control of Your Car in the Snow

Living in Billings, Montana means spending a lot of time in the snow. To be able to get through our daily routines of living, we have to learn how to drive safely in the snow. Too often we see clumsy drivers drift off the side of the road and into a ditch, or worse, driving too fast and losing control of the vehicle. People are often injured or killed on snowy roads in Billings and it is important that people pay attention to the rules of driving in the snow so that they stay safe and be safe on the roads for others.

Living in Billings, Montana means spending a lot of time in the snow. To be able to get through our daily routines of living, we have to learn how to drive safely in the snow. Too often we see clumsy drivers drift off the side of the road and into a ditch, or worse, driving too fast and?losing control of the vehicle. People are often injured or killed on snowy roads in Billings and it is important that people pay attention to the rules of driving in the snow so that they stay safe and be safe on the roads for others.

Don’t be the person that ends up in the ditch or smashing into a family vehicle because you didn’t follow the rules. Not following the rules results in lawsuits and the need for a?qualified car accident attorney. Follow these simple steps to make sure you are being responsible and safe on our Billings roads.

  1. Don’t Be Aggressive ? Your movements should be fluid when you drive in the snow. Don’t jerk the steering wheel or slam the pedals. When the roads are slippery and it’s not easy to keep traction, jerking your driving motions can take your wheels from meeting the roads to suddenly sliding out of control. That goes for changing lanes and following behind cars. Be fluid in your movements, not aggressive. You don’t have the freedom of slamming on your brakes if needed so don’t tailgate or rage all over the road. Be easy and keep space between other vehicles.
  2. Anticipate What May Be Ahead ? When dealing with snow, you never know if you are going to come upon an accident or a stop in traffic due to an accident. Anticipate what may be coming so that you can slowly stop your vehicle. Always allow extra distance for stopping the vehicle ? so pay close attention and look ahead.
  3. Skidding Is Sure To Happen ? Eventually, not every time you drive, but at some point, your car is going to skid in the snow. When it does ? look where you want to go. Most people will look where their car is heading, but part of recovering from skids is paying attention to where you want to be. Instincts will kick in and help.
  4. Don’t Panic ? If you panic, you probably will not be able to recover from a skid. But skids are super manageable. Take steps to help the car recover and get back on track:
    1. Do NOT slam on your brakes.
    2. If the front wheels are skidding, ease off the gas. The wheels should recover in a couple of seconds.
    3. If the back wheels skid, turn the steering wheel in the same direction that the back of the car is sliding, ease off the gas, do NOT touch the brakes. The wheels will regain traction and you can steer back to the direction you want.
  5. Always Pay Attention To Your Traction ? You need to be in control and stay in control when driving through the snow. If you don’t pay attention to what your tires are doing, you can end up in a bad situation.

If you do end up in a bad situation and are involved in a car accident, don’t worry. The wonderful attorney’s at?Tourtlotte Law Firm?in Billings can help you.