Winter Travel: Staying on Your Toes

If you can help it, try not to drive on snow-covered roads until after plows and salt trucks have gone by, and always allow extra time to get to your destination. Stroble Law Firm in Michigan sees its share of car accidents cases due to conditions like snow and ice. Drive slowly and more cautiously than usual, as snow can be a disguise for icy, slippery conditions underneath. Keep a larger distance between your car and the car in front of you in case you have to stop suddenly. When you do use your brakes, apply pressure gently to avoid skidding.

Before you do embark on a snowy journey, always clean off your car so you have as much visibility as possible. Don’t forget the roof of your car, either, as this will prevent snow from flying off of your car and hitting the car behind you, obscuring another driver’s visibility. It also helps to practice driving in snowy conditions in an empty parking lot so you know how your car is going to handle on the road.

Plan Ahead for Flights

If you hear of an impending snowstorm on the day you are scheduled to be on a flight, check with the airlines before you leave your house to confirm that your flight is still on schedule or has not been canceled. If you are in fact going to be flying, be sure to allow yourself plenty of extra time to get to the airport. You may even want to pack a carry-on bag with a change of clothes and some toiletries, in case your flight is delayed and you have to spend an extended amount of time in the airport. Being able to brush your teeth and wash your face while you wait could certainly make you feel more refreshed and less stressed about your delay.

Don’t forget to pack extra power cords for cell phones and laptops, so in the event of a lengthy delay, you will be able to communicate your change in plans to family and friends that might be waiting for your at your final destination.

Ultimately, with snowy weather, sometimes the best thing you can do is wait it out patiently. In our fast-paced world, maybe this is Mother Nature’s way of telling us it is simply time to slow down, if only for a day or two.

Writer Melanie Fleury remembers living in Michigan where the snow often built up to more than a foot. Stroble Law Firm shares information on their blog about car accidents that could have been avoided if precautions had been taken.