North Texas Winter Driving Tips

Living in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, you don't often think about driving in the winter. Sure, it will be cold and windy, but all that means is putting on a thicker coat, right? Not quite.

Ice and Snow More Dangerous in North Texas?

Since we live in warm climate, we are not accustomed to worrying about winter driving hazards. We don't put snow tires on our cars and trucks, we don't worry about snow on our windshields, and we certainly don't worry about having a winter emergency kit. However, not being prepared for the chance of severe winter weather puts drivers at a higher risk of being stuck out in the cold without the items they need to survive a winter accident.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the weather in our area changes quickly, and you should be prepared for sudden winter storms. While having a cell phone is handy, it is entirely possible that, in the event of an accident, the phone can become lost or you can be in an area with no reception. What then? TxDOT recommends that before winter strikes you pack the following items into your car:

• Safety flares
• An extra coat for each occupant
• Blankets
• Shovel and ice scraper
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• Lighter
• First aid kit
• Non-perishable snacks
• At least one gallon of water

Preventing a Winter Accident in Dallas

Clearly, the best way to prevent being involved in an accident is to alter your driving behaviors during inclement weather. Common sense winter driving tips include:

• Checking road conditions before you leave the house
• Removing as much snow and ice as possible from your vehicle, including all windows, the hood, taillights, and headlights
• Staying further away from the car ahead of you than normal
• Using caution when approaching bridges, shady spots, overpasses, and turns

As long time residents of North Texas, our Dallas car accident attorneys know that a winter storm can quickly roll across the plains, leaving us scrambling to get from point A to point B safely. Don't wait until the last minute. Start gathering supplies for your winter driving kit now, before it's too late.

The staff and attorneys at Guajardo & Marks hope that the information provided in this article keeps you safe this winter. If you have any further questions or need legal advice following a car crash in Fort Worth, please do not hesitate to call our office. We are here to help. 1.877.290.1382