Depending on where you live in the country, springtime may bring a swing in the weather. If you live somewhere that experiences all 4 seasons, brush up on these driving safety tips to avoid motor vehicle accidents:
Be prepared for springtime showers. In many regions, the spring season brings rain showers. The end of the winter/beginning of the spring is a good time to check, and possibly replace, your windshield wipers. Look for cracked or frayed edges. Test out the wipers with the washer fluid. If they are performing less than optimally or it’s been a year, you should replace the wiper blades.
Look out for potholes. If you live where it snows, it’s not uncommon for the snowplows to rip potholes in the asphalt over the winter. Potholes can damage your vehicle and could potentially cause an accident, if a tire blowout occurs. Avoid the pothole if you can do so safely. If not, try to reduce your speed a bit but then let off the brake as you roll over the hole. Doing so will cause the tires to roll more smoothly over the pothole than if you slam on the brakes as you are running over it.
Share the road. If you live where the weather gets nicer in the spring, you can bet on sharing the road with greater numbers of cyclists, pedestrians, roller skaters, and runners as the weather improves. Stay focused on the road and alert for the presence of non-motorists. Yield the right of way when appropriate, and be vigilant for non-motorists to do unexpected things like darting into the road or weaving on their bicycle.
Sun glare. As the position and timing of sunrise and sunset changes this season, you may find yourself blinded during your morning or evening commute. Remember to bring your sunglasses and consider adjusting your schedule slightly to allow the sun to rise a little higher or set a little lower before you begin your drive.
Sometimes motor vehicle accidents occur despite our best efforts. Search our directory for an experienced attorney in your area if you or a loved one has been injured in a crash.
