It Ain’t BLACK ICE ~ It’s Just a Little Ice
It Ain’t “Icy Hot” ~ Icy Conditions Are Especially Treacherous: In more traditional icy conditions, your vehicle will require three times the normal braking distance to stop even though your vehicle may be equipped with snow tires, antilock brakes, or is a 4-wheel drive vehicle. 4-wheel vehicles do not provide any additional stability on ice. Only chains will create traction on ice because the chains dig into the ice. Therefore, allowing sufficient distance stopping in icy conditions is ultra-critical. A driver must start to slow down significantly earlier as he or she approaches a stop sign, traffic signal or any intersection. Also, drivers must anticipate that vehicles coming from another direction may not be able to stop because those vehicles are operating in the same icy road as your vehicle. If an oncoming vehicle slides into the intersection, and you are not alert, the sliding vehicle could crash into your car. In icy conditions, the safest and wisest choice is to find a secure place to wait it out until either the roads have been properly treated or the temperature rises melting the ice.
Antifreeze ~ Don’t Leave Home without It: Regularly check your antifreeze so you will be ready for cold temperatures.
So Your Spouse Says You Are Controlling ~ Maintaining Control in Icy Conditions is Critical and Especially Difficult: During a Turn ~ DON’T BRAKE. Avoid spin-outs by gradually turning the steering wheel and “Feathering” the brakes slightly BEFORE entering a curve. Coast through the turn with your foot off the brake AND off the gas. You do not want your car to gain speed in the curve and slide off the roadway. However, leaving your foot on the brake prevents your tires from turning which causes your vehicle to lose contact with the pavement and your vehicle begins to slide into the direction of the curve. Essentially your vehicle becomes an open sleigh on the way to grandma’s house. Probably not something you, your spouse or your children desire.
Are You a Cat Person or a Dog Person? If your vehicle is stuck on the ice, use cat litter, sand, or the car’s floor mats under the tires to provide traction. The Boy Scout and Girl Scout motto is “Be Prepared”. Especially, if you live in a northern or mountainous climate, or a southern climate that has an occasional Snowmageddon, it is a good idea to keep these items and a shovel in trunk to help you if your vehicle becomes stuck. When a vehicle is buried in frozen precipitation, first, check to be certain that the exhaust pipe is exposed. If the tailpipe is blocked dangerous carbon monoxide can build up in your car. Carbon monoxide is killer.
Danger Will Robinson: Gasoline powered vehicles produce Carbon Monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless, and colorless gas which is released into the air out of the tailpipe. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning symptoms include: feeling lethargic, weariness, fatigue, feeling tired, yawning, headache, feeling dizzy, nausea, and possibly ringing in the ears. If you have any of these symptoms immediately turn off the engine, open the windows and exit the vehicle.
An Ounce of Prevention: Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning is fairly easy. Have the vehicle’s exhaust system checked regularly. Open a window slightly when you start the engine. If you have reservations about the safety of your exhaust system, open a window when you are driving or the vehicle is running when you are parked. Never, ever let the engine idle in your garage with the door closed.
Do Not Overestimate Your Skills: In icy conditions extra precaution is required. Outstandingly hazardous conditions require an extra special precaution, i.e. not making the trip.
The attorneys at The Danda Law Firm have the experience, auto claims knowledge and litigation resources to represent you for the compensation you deserve for your injuries from your car accident during settlement negotiations as well as in court.
Plus, we are aware that you were injured and that your car has been damaged and may not be drivable. Thus, we will meet with you at home, in the hospital or the place of your choice. The Danda Law Firm is located in Metro Atlanta which allows us to conveniently serve you in Metro Atlanta or anywhere in Georgia.
The lawyers at The Danda Law Firm have been helping injured people in Atlanta and throughout Georgia recover their just financial compensation since 1979. If you, or a loved one, have been seriously injured, call our office at 770.938.0977 or 800.983.8720.
David Danda © 2017
David Danda*
David E. Danda, PC
3579A Chamblee Tucker Road
#941334
Atlanta GA 31141-0334
770.938.0977
770.939.6538 (fax)
www.daviddanda.com web site
Licensed in Georgia and Louisiana
*Accredited, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs