What Is Good Emergency Preparedness for Winter Driving in South Carolina?

South Carolina is well-known for its unpredictable weather, though you can always count on the rain in the Palmetto State. Weather data from as recently as 2019 indicates that South Carolina gets 25% more rain than the national average. Once you add rainy weather to the colder temperatures of winter, you see why South Carolina winters have their dangerous side. There are a few common sense habits you should develop to avoid potential road hazards caused by weather. Keep reading to more about how to stay safe while driving during winter in South Carolina, and don’t forget to call a Darlington County auto accident lawyer if you’ve been injured in an auto incident. With our years of experience in court, we’ll review your case and fight hard on your behalf for the compensation you deserve.

Basics of Emergency Prep for Winter Driving

Do the best you can to prepare yourself before going on a trip in inclement weather. This starts with regular maintenance of your vehicle. You should be checking crucial parts like the brakes and headlights frequently so that you can replace them as needed.

For every trip, no matter how small, you should have emergency supplies on hand. Flashlights, flares, and blankets are always useful, but don’t forget seasonal tools like snow shovels.

Because it is often necessary to drive slowly during winter weather, you’ll be best served by planning your route before leaving and then leaving early. Give yourself every advantage, and if it seems like you’ll be late because of the dangerous weather, remember that nothing is more important than your health and well-being. Drive carefully and slowly.

Make sure to always wear your seat belt, and similarly, always use a safety seat for little ones. When using a safety seat, never leave a rear-facing child safety seat in front of an airbag.

Don’t forget other common-sense precautions like:

• Wear your seat belt
• Turn on headlights
• Use windshield wipers to keep your windshield clean and easy to see through
• Always be vigilant

Practice Careful Driving in Emergency Situations

As critical as pre-driving preparation is, it only goes so far. To be safe on the road, you’ll need to be alert and careful while driving.

Obeying the speed limit is a good start. Avoid using cruise control when driving on snow- or ice-covered roads, because cruise control can suddenly increase your vehicle’s speed. Braking during snowy weather can cause your car to slip and rear-end the car ahead of you, so work to prevent this by keeping a safe distance from other cars as well as driving slowly.

Lastly, you’ll want to go slowly as you turn. If you try to brake suddenly or make turns on a dime, slippery roads covered in snow become very dangerous very quickly.