Winter Weather Is Upon Us: How Drivers Can Stay Safe

All Minnesotans can benefit from a winter driving refresher. Learn more from the St. Paul auto accident attorneys at Swor & Gatto, P.A.

2011-11-24

November 24, 2011 (Press-News.org) The long, cold Minnesota winters never fail to blanket the state's roadways, causing many weather-related accidents that can range from minor to severe. Minnesota was sixth in the nation for icy road fatalities during the 2009-2010 season, with 18 fatal accidents during that winter.

Minneapolis weather-related auto accident attorneys and other people who work with accident victims understand the danger that comes with winter driving. They encourage safe, cautious driving in the snow, ice and sleet.

Fortunately, there are several things drivers can do to stay safe on winter roads.

Use the Right Equipment

Outfitting your car with appropriate winter gear is the first step toward safe winter driving. Replacing summer performance tires with winter tires with a tread depth of 6/32 of an inch or more can greatly improve traction. Replacing worn windshield wipers and refilling wiper fluid reservoirs are also prudent actions. Since it gets so cold in Minnesota, it is wise to never let your car get below half a tank of gas, since less than that can cause gas lines to freeze up.

Drive With Caution

Many Minnesota accidents can be avoided by reducing speed on icy or snowy roads. Remember that when there is ice or snow on the pavement, traction is greatly reduced, resulting in increased stopping time. Drivers should also take more time to accelerate, since having a lead foot will reduce traction. Never drive when you are fatigued and always keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Of course, always wear your seatbelt.

Winter Driving Techniques

In addition to slowing down your actions, there are several winter-specific techniques drivers can use to make winter driving safer:
- The first is a bit counter-intuitive: Use the air conditioning. Pressing the air conditioning button helps defrost interior windows, even when the temperature is on hot. Use the fresh air setting to help the defrosting process along.
- When on the road, avoid using cruise control because doing so takes control away from you.
- Use the laws of nature: Take advantage of gravity when going down hills rather than the accelerator pedal, and let your car slow itself rather than slamming on the brakes.
- Take corners easily: Brake before the corner, control through the turn and accelerate out of it to maintain traction.

Taking a winter driving safety course can also help drivers implement safe driving habits. Armed with these techniques, drivers should be safer on the road. However, it is impossible to avoid all winter driving accidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in a weather-related crash, contact a personal injury attorney experienced in winter weather accidents.

Article provided by Swor & Gatto, P.A.
Visit us at www.sworgatto.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

UMD poll: Egyptians see military putting brake on revolution 2:1

2011-11-24

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - A new University of Maryland public opinion poll finds Egyptians harboring serious doubts about their military's commitment to the revolution that ousted the Mubarak regime last spring. In the poll, 43 percent of Egyptians said they believe military authorities are working against the aims of the revolution, compared to nearly 21 percent who saw them as advancing these aims. "There appears to be a major shift in Egyptian public attitudes toward military authorities, and this will likely have important consequences for politics there in coming weeks," ...

Insect cyborgs may become first responders

2011-11-24

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Research conducted at the University of Michigan College of Engineering may lead to the use of insects to monitor hazardous situations before sending in humans. Professor Khalil Najafi, the chair of electrical and computer engineering, and doctoral student Erkan Aktakka are finding ways to harvest energy from insects, and take the utility of the miniature cyborgs to the next level. "Through energy scavenging, we could potentially power cameras, microphones and other sensors and communications equipment that an insect could carry aboard a tiny backpack," ...

New magnetic-field-sensitive alloy could find use in novel micromechanical devices

2011-11-24

Led by a group at the University of Maryland (UMd), a multi-institution team of researchers has combined modern materials research and an age-old metallurgy technique to produce an alloy that could be the basis for a new class of sensors and micromechanical devices controlled by magnetism.* The alloy, a combination of cobalt and iron, is notable, among other things, for not using rare-earth elements to achieve its properties. Materials scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) contributed precision measurements of the alloy's structure and ...

Debt Collectors Battling State Regulations Aimed at Stopping Abuse

2011-11-24

According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the number of consumer complaints against third-party debt collectors rose to 108,997 in 2010, up from about 90,000 in 2009. Federal Reserve data show that complaints rose even though consumer debt for the country overall fell to its lowest levels since 2005. Debt collection companies have gotten more aggressive in their collection efforts in recent years. Complaints of creditor harassment have prompted many states to pass laws to regulate the industry more to prevent abuse. In response, debt collection companies ...

Exercise helps us to eat a healthy diet

2011-11-24

A healthy diet and the right amount of exercise are key players in treating and preventing obesity but we still know little about the relationship both factors have with each other. A new study now reveals that an increase in physical activity is linked to an improvement in diet quality. SINC Many questions arise when trying to lose weight. Would it be better to start on a diet and then do exercise, or the other way around? And how much does one compensate the other? "Understanding the interaction between exercise and a healthy diet could improve preventative and ...

Options for Underwater Mortgages

2011-11-24

When the economy collapsed in November 2008, many homeowners suddenly found themselves with underwater mortgages, owing more on the mortgage note than the house that secured the note was worth. As the economy continued to falter, many found it difficult to keep up with their exorbitant mortgage payments. The residential real estate market shows few signs of significant recovery any time soon. According to RealtyTrac, a firm that records home foreclosure data, lenders foreclosed on over one million homes in 2010 alone - a record number. In Alabama, foreclosure sale listings ...

Finger (mal)formation reveals surprise function of desert DNA

2011-11-24

Scientists from the EPFL and the University of Geneva have discovered a genetic mechanism that defines the shape of our members in which, surprisingly, genes play only a secondary role. The research published in Cell, online the 23rd of November, shows the mechanism is found in a DNA sequence that was thought, incorrectly, to play no role. This long string has seven enhancers which, when combined with one another, modulate the activity of the genes responsible for the formation of the fingers – an important fundamental discovery for the field of genetics. The discovery ...

Are Many Spinal Surgeries Unnecessary?

2011-11-24

Spinal surgeries are risky procedures that require hours under anesthesia, and days of hospitalization, so no patient likely takes the decision to undergo such surgery lightly. Most are following their doctors' recommendations, but such recommendations are coming under increased scrutiny. Chronic back pain--one of the common complaints that cause doctors to recommend spinal surgery--is one of the top 10 diseases in the US according to Forbes.com. It is also one of the most expensive: Americans spend $32 billion per year treating back pain, including spinal surgeries. ...

Genetic study confirms: First dogs came from East Asia

2011-11-24

Researchers at Sweden's KTH Royal Institute of Technology say they have found further proof that the wolf ancestors of today's domesticated dogs can be traced to southern East Asia -- findings that run counter to theories placing the cradle of the canine line in the Middle East. Dr Peter Savolainen, KTH researcher in evolutionary genetics, says a new study released Nov. 23 confirms that an Asian region south of the Yangtze River was the principal and probably sole region where wolves were domesticated by humans. Data on genetics, morphology and behaviour show clearly ...

Tiny levers, big moves in piezoelectric sensors

2011-11-24

VIDEO: Animation of PMN-PT microcantilever. Click here for more information. A team of university researchers, aided by scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), have succeeded in integrating a new, highly efficient piezoelectric material into a silicon microelectromechanical system (MEMS).* This development could lead to significant advances in sensing, imaging and energy harvesting. A piezoelectric material, such as quartz, expands slightly when ...

Winter Weather Is Upon Us: How Drivers Can Stay Safe

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: