Drivers should have been cautious after winter weather hit the Charlotte area over the holiday weekend. Things, however, do not always go as planned. As drivers began their morning commute on President’s day, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police were called to several car accidents due to the treacherous road conditions. The winter weather left behind patches of ice on the interstates, which proved to be difficult for Charlotte drivers.
There were four major accidents reported to the police in the Charlotte area, with two of those accidents being on major interstates. Just after 7 a.m. on Monday morning, police responded to the scene of an accident on I-85 where a vehicle flipped over several times. Road crews spent most of the morning clearing the accident scene to try and spare the rest of the morning commuters a traffic standstill. Snow began to fall late Sunday night and as temperatures continued to drop, the moisture on the roads began to transform into ice.
These kinds of road conditions require that drivers be extremely cautious. The best advice for driving in the snow and ice is not to drive at all. You are safer at home than you are driving on an icy road.
However, if you must go out there are several things that you can do to make sure that you reach your destination safely. First, decrease your speed and give yourself plenty of room to stop. This also means that you may have to leave home a little earlier to make sure that you make it in a timely manner. Second, apply pressure to the brake gently to prevent the car from skidding. If you feel the car begin to skid at any time, release the brake. Third, make sure that you keep your headlights on and your windshield clean so that you have the maximum visibility. Fourth, do not attempt to pass snowplows or sanding trucks. Doing so will drastically decrease the visibility, which is the last thing you want to happens when the roads are dangerous. If you want more tips on how to drive in snow and ice, consult the Weather Channel’s website.
It is every driver’s responsibility to operate his or her vehicle in a manner that does not put any other people at risk. This means that in all types of weather, a driver is required to operate his or her vehicle in the way that an ordinary prudent driver would operate the vehicle. The driver is charged with adjusting to the driving conditions. If the driver fails to do that, then that driver will be responsible for any injuries or property damage that results from that failure. If you or someone you know find yourself needing the services of a Charlotte personal injury attorney, please do not hesitate to contact the Charlotte car accident lawyers at Arnold & Smith, PLLC for a free consultation at 704-370-2828. They will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the justice that you deserve.
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