Even drivers in South Carolina should prepare for winter weather

Heavy snowfall is rare in South Carolina, but this can actually make the roads of the Palmetto State even more dangerous when temperatures do drop below freezing. Drivers in northern states must learn quickly how to cope with icy road conditions and blinding blizzards, but those who live in more temperate parts of the country often lack these crucial skills. Even modest amounts of snow can bring traffic to a halt in southern states, but there are steps that motorists can take to prepare for winter weather and reduce their chances of being involved in an accident.

Road safety experts say that the best way to avoid a winter car accident is to slow down and give other drivers plenty of room, and this advice may be especially prescient in parts of the country where drivers are not accustomed to slick and icy road conditions. When winter accidents do occur in states like South Carolina, they are often chain reaction crashes that could have been mitigated or avoided entirely if motorists had reduced their speeds and maintained safe distances.

Chain reaction crashes occur because stopping distances are about three times as great when roads are slippery, and the reduced visibility and early darkness of the winter months add to the winter driving dangers. To prepare for these and other seasonal road hazards, motorists should check that their tires are properly inflated, their brakes are functioning properly and all of their lights are working before setting out.

Negligent motorists often blame the weather when they crash during the winter months, and experienced personal injury attorneys may prepare for this argument when ice or snow were present when their clients were injured. Attorneys may study police reports carefully to find out how fast vehicles were likely traveling when they crashed, and the data stored in automobile black boxes could reveal whether or not any evasive action was taken.