Attorneys Robert, David and James Cody

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Speeding for conditions may cause a collision

On Behalf of | Nov 14, 2019 | Firm News |

The Twin Cities are notorious for their winter weather. Whether you drive to work every day or only climb behind the wheel occasionally, you must realize your car is likely to perform differently on snowy or icy roadways than it does when the pavement is dry. Unfortunately, speed often contributes to wintertime car wrecks all around Minnesota. 

Regardless of the posted speed limit, Minnesota law requires motorists to drive a speed that is both reasonable and prudent for road and weather conditions. If a driver disregards this obligation, you may sustain a serious injury in an automobile collision. Here are some ways to drive smartly during inclement weather. 

Prepare your vehicle 

Before a blizzard rolls into town, be sure your vehicle is ready for winter conditions. First, check your windshield washer reservoir to be certain you have enough fluid. If you do not, add some that has an antifreeze component. Also, scrub grimy buildup from your headlights and brake lights. Finally, schedule a tire inspection to see if you have enough tread to grip icy roadways effectively. 

Allow for longer stopping distances 

Ice tends to lengthen the stopping distance of any vehicle. In fact, you may need as much as 10 times the distance to come to a complete stop. Therefore, give yourself additional space when driving on icy roads. If another vehicle pulls in front of your car, back off a bit to minimize your chances of having a rear-end collision. 

Check your preparedness kit 

Even if you drive responsibly, you may not be able to avoid a winter-weather car crash forever. Therefore, you must have an emergency kit in your vehicle. AAA recommends equipping your kit with a few essential items. 

During warm summer months, it can be easy to forget how to drive in inclement weather. Still, you must remember that speeding can be dangerous. With a bit of care, though, you can boost your odds of getting to spring without having a serious crash. 

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