Winter driving accidents happen in Charlotte, too

We don’t get a lot of snow in typical Charlotte winters, but as we have seen in recent days, ice and related winter conditions can cause serious driving problems in North Carolina.

In order to help motorists avoid traffic accidents causing injuries, AAA has put together winter driving tips that apply to us as well as they apply to folks in Minnesota. We simply have to make use of the tips less often.

AAA reminds drivers to be cautious at all times, but especially when winter weather hits hard. The organization says that no matter what, avoid driving when you are fatigued; especially so when bad weather arrives.

Other AAA driving tips include the following:

• Do not use your vehicle’s cruise control whenever you anticipate wet driving surfaces such as rain, snow, sleet or other.
• Use your seatbelt at all times.
• Always look at where you want to go and then steer to your destination.
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated.
• Make sure your exhaust pipe never gets clogged with snow.
• Check weather reports before departing on a long-distance wintertime drive.
• Drive slowly in snow. (You will still get there.)
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly in order to avoid skidding and sliding in snow.
• Stay home. OK, this is not strictly a driving tip, but it makes sense when really bad weather hits and you don’t have anywhere that you absolutely must be.

For those who are injured in a winter driving crash due to someone’s recklessness or negligence, a North Carolina personal injury attorney can help you pursue both compensation and justice.