Winters in Maryland are beautiful but often bitterly cold and dangerous. The season poses certain risks for drivers as road conditions change. These are some statistics on winter accidents and how they happen in the first place.
Winter road statistics
According to the Federal Highway Administration, car accidents occur at a faster rate during the winter: around 74% of them are due to the roads being wet and slippery. While fog is also a factor, it only accounts for around 3% of all winter car accidents.
Black ice is a major factor in winter accidents. Due to its virtual invisibility, drivers can skid out when they drive on it. Snowstorms make driving conditions difficult by reducing visibility and making the roads difficult to maneuver on; they make it dangerous for everyone on the road even when drivers reduce their speed.
Other reasons for winter accidents
One of the biggest reasons why drivers lose control of their vehicles or get into car accidents is that they don’t have the right tires. Those used during the summer might be inadequate or worn out from months of contact with hot roads. Snow tires can help keep good traction on the road in snowy, icy conditions.
Drivers must also properly maintain their vehicle’s fluids in preparation for wintry weather. A mechanic can check fluid levels and components to ensure that everything is in good working condition; if anything needs to be repaired or replaced, it can help when the weather gets bad.
Snow and ice covering a vehicle can cause problems and lead to accidents. If it starts to melt, it could compromise visibility; drivers must use brushes and ice scrapers to remove all of it before getting into the vehicle to travel.
Although you can’t control the weather or other drivers’ actions, you can take precautions to be safer driving in the winter.