Snow and ice are not uncommon in Knoxville. That is why winter driving can be quite dangerous. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to stay safe while you are on the road during the winter time.
The winter is one of the worst times for your car to break down. You should get your car serviced before the harsh winter weather begins. A mechanic can perform routine maintenance and make sure that your car is in the best shape possible. Badly worn hoses and leaks can increase your chance of getting into an accident.
Many people will not fill up their gas tank until it is completely empty. However, that is not something that you want to do during the winter months. If you happen to get stranded, you will be able to keep yourself warm if you have a full tank of gas in your car.
Even though Knoxville only gets about six inches of snow per year, snow tires are still a worthwhile investment. Snow tires are not only designed to withstand snow, but they are also built for ice and other winter conditions. Make sure that you inspect your snow tires at least once a month. This should only take about four minutes of your time.
You are much more likely to get involved in an accident if there is snow or ice on the road. Anytime the temperature drops below freezing, there is likely to be ice on the road. Keep in mind that you may not be able to see black ice. That is why you should use caution when you are driving, and the temperature is below freezing.
You should drive 5 to 10 miles slower than you normally would. It will be a lot easier for you to come to an emergency stop if you are driving slow. You are also less likely to run off the road if you are driving slow.
If it has snow or iced outside, then you will need to take the time to clean off your car before you drive. This will ensure that you will be able to see everyone else on the road. Your windows, headlights, tires and mirrors are the most important parts of your car to clean.
Professionals recommend that you stay at least two car lengths behind the car that is in front of you. However, you should try to maintain a three car length distance when it is snowing outside. The farther you are from the car that is in front of you, the easier it will be for you to come to an emergency stop.
Cell phones can be a distraction, which is why they should never be used while you are driving. However, you should keep it with you when you are driving. It will be easier for you to get in touch with someone if an emergency occurred.
After spending his secondary years of study at The McCallie School in Chattanooga, G Turner Howard III earned his BA at Tulane University. A member of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, he received his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law. Before becoming an attorney, he earned a Master’s and Doctor of Divinity at Andrews Theological Seminary and Columbia Theological Seminary. He also served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army in Vietnam. With more than 20 years of experience, his firm has helped clients receive millions of dollars for personal injury, and in many cases, much faster than they ever expected.
