Safe Driving Tips During a Storm

     The summer is finally here, and it brings with it a mass of warm and violent summer storms.  Driving during a rain/hail/thunder storm can be just as dangerous as driving on snow and ice.  What makes driving during a summer storm even more hazardous, however, is that many people don't quite fully realize the danger.  Rain and hailstorms can bring hazards in the form of lowered visibility, increased distance required to stop a vehicle, the potential to hydroplane, and a host of other dangers.

     The first tip for safe driving during a storm is, obviously, plan your trip ahead of time to avoid storms if at all possible.  However, even the best of us will find ourselves from time to time driving down a highway during a torrential downpour.  This is where these tips will become useful.

 - Make sure your headlights are turned on
 - Turn on your windshield wipers
 - Slow down. Don't brake hard, instead take your foot off the gas and slowly reduce your speed. Braking too fast on wet roads can cause you to lose control of your vehicle
 - Give yourself a greater distance to brake
 - If necessary, pull your vehicle over to the side of the road or into a covered garage or underpass until the storm passes. If you pull over to the side of the road, make sure to activate your emergency flashers
 - Keep an eye out for hazards on the road, including downed power lines, debris, puddles, and other vehicles.
 - Finally, keep your radio tuned to local news or weather reports for news of the storm and emergency notifications.

     Drive safe! Should anything happen, take care of yourself, get any medical attention necessary, and contact a licensed attorney in your area.
   

*This is attorney advertising, and is not intended to be taken as legal advice, nor is it intended to create an attorney-client relationship. Any advice given in the preceding statement is given as general advice and is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice for any specific scenarios. For specific advice, or for answers to your questions, call Eckert & Smestad (312-789-4810) or call a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

Travel Safe this Holiday Season

     AAA has estimated that this holiday season over 30% of Americans will travel 50 miles or more to visit friends, family, or simply get away. This means that approximately 96 million people will be traveling by car or plane between December 21, 2013 and January 1, 2014. All those additional travelers mean more dangers, more risks, and of course, more travel headaches. Couple these additional travelers with snow and ice on the roads, and the risk of car accidents and other injuries increases even more.

     If you are traveling this holiday season, here are some tips to keep in mind for safe traveling:

          1. Take your time on the road. Driving too fast for conditions or traffic is a well known cause of many car accidents. In order to ensure that you can arrive on time without having to drive too fast, allow extra time before you leave.

          2. Make sure your car is prepared to travel. This means checking your brake fluids, oil, tire pressure, antifreeze, and all other necessary vehicular aspects before you travel. A few moments spent checking your car can save you a great deal of headaches later on.

         3. Prepare for a breakdown. Bring blankets, water, cell phones, chargers, and a first aid kit with you. In the event that a breakdown does occur, you will want to have all necessary materials with you to keep you safe while you wait for a tow or rescue.

         4. Map out your route before leaving. This removes any last minute decision making about how to get to your destination, and can allow you to focus on the road and other drivers.

         5. Keep focused on what's going on. This works for both driving and flying. By keeping an eye out for black ice, snow, other drivers, other travelers, and on anyone else who may be nearby, you will be able to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of yourself and your fellow travelers.

     Have a happy holiday season, and travel safe!

*This is attorney advertising, and is not intended to be taken as legal advice, nor is it intended to create an attorney-client relationship. Any advice given in the preceding statement is given as general advice and is not intended to be relied upon as legal advice for any specific scenarios. For specific advice, or for answers to your questions, call Eckert & Smestad (312-789-4810) or call a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.