As the cold, winter months approach, it is crucial to make sure that you and your vehicle are ready for what’s ahead. Take a peek at the following tips to make sure you’re prepared.
Drive slower
Ice, sleet, and snow make driving Alaskan roads a much bigger challenge that should be managed with great care. For that reason, it is crucial for drivers to slow down this time of year.
It is wise to get into the habit of driving slower before weather conditions require it, so even though there may not be tons of snow on the ground right now, there certainly will be!
Provide extra room for cars ahead of and behind you
The general rule here is to leave at least a football field’s distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. That way, if traffic comes to a stop and you are on a downhill slope, you give yourself extra wiggle room to stop your vehicle on time.
Leaving so much distance may seem like overkill, but it’s definitely not. Slippery roads make stopping and slowing down extremely difficult, and vehicles can be highly unpredictable when exposed to such conditions.
Update vehicular equipment
Make sure your windshield wipers are updated and function properly before driving in the Anchorage area’s inclement weather. If wiper blades leave streaks or appear to skip and jump when powered on, it is time to replace them with new ones.
It is also useful to replace traditional windshield wiper fluid with a special cold-weather formula. Be sure to check that the temperatures listed on the bottle are rated for the temperatures in your area. Wiper fluid comes in especially handy for removing road salt and sludge from your windshield.
It’s never good for your fuel line to freeze, so it is wise to include a fuel additive with your gasoline. Fuel additives decrease the amount of moisture that enters your vehicle’s system, which helps prevent your engine from freezing.
Leave it to the local Alaskan insurance insiders at Farnsworth & Vance to assist with your inclement weather car accident claim and help you get back to driving the gorgeous Alaskan roads in no time.
Call our firm today at (907) 290-2576 or contact us online to speak with a lawyer about your potential case.