Winter Driving Tips

Winter road conditions can become hazardous with very little warning. Follow these precautions to help make sure you and your family arrive safe every time you set out on the road.

Let the road conditions dictate your speed. Remember that speed limit signs only present guidelines for dry surfaces when visibility is ideal. When the road has water, ice, or snow on it, or when snow is blowing and making it hard to see, you should slow down until you can be certain to retain control of your vehicle at all times. In the winter, this will be much slower than the posted speed limit.

Leave more room between vehicles. Winter roads require much greater stopping distances, and just because you can stop, you can't be sure the other drivers will be able to. Make sure there is enough space between your vehicle and the others on the road to allow you to stop when traffic or road conditions change unexpectedly.

Change lanes or directions slowly. When you change the position of your car to the left or right, or make a turn, it requires extra friction to stay on the road. When the roads are wet, icy, or snowy, make gradual changes and signal to other drivers well in advance.

Do you know when to pump the brakes or not? If you have anti-lock brakes, DO NOT pump the brakes when stopping. Pumping the brakes IS recommended for vehicles without anti-lock brakes.

Use extra caution on bridges and overpasses. When the cold winter winds blow, bridges and overpasses develop ice more quickly than other road surfaces. Make sure to carefully assess the conditions of bridges and remain attentive of the road surface.

Keep an eye out for deer. During the winter months, deer congregate together in large groups. If one is near the edge of the road, or crosses in front of you, more are certain to be close by. In rural areas, they are especially active during hunting season. Do NOT assume that a deer will get out of the way of your car. Slow down, flash your lights, and wait to proceed until the deer is out of range.

Show your holiday spirit. Frustration can cause tragic consequences with unsafe driving. Keep your cool, take a deep breath, and remember that everyone needs to get back home safely.

Don't let your holiday be cut short by an auto accident. Stay awake, aware, and in control of your car.

Attorney Marya Sieminski joined the Law Offices of Sam Bernstein in 2003. She is admitted to practice law in Michigan state courts and in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated magna cum laude from Wayne State University Law School. Marya has worked as a trial lawyer for 10 years and exclusively represented victims in personal injury litigation and in workers compensation claims. She also was appointed by the Governor to serve on the State of Michigan Workers Compensation Qualifications Advisory Committee.

The Law Offices of Samuel I. Bernstein, our Michigan auto accident and personal injury law firm, has championed the cause of seriously injured Michigan auto accident victims for three generations.


By Marya Sieminski