Light snow could make roads more dangerous than blizzards
On behalf of Steven Crell of Steve Crell Law posted in Personal Injury on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.
Motorists in Indiana may be familiar with winter storms that can drop several inches of snow every hour. While these weather events can make driving conditions extremely hazardous, road safety experts say that less significant snow accumulations may be even more treacherous for motorists. Data released by the NHTSA on traffic accidents that took place between 2004 and 2013 indicates that more than of the weather-related crashes on America’s roads during that period involved slush, snow, sleet or ice.
Driver behavior and modern vehicles packed with advanced comfort and convenience features are often blamed for the increased risks faced by motorists in mild to moderate winter weather. Indiana residents frequently choose to stay home during severe snowstorms, and those that do brave the roads tend to proceed with great caution. However, drivers in climate controlled and soundproofed cars, trucks and SUVs often fail to make adequate adjustments when snow first begins to fall, and they often only come to realize that conditions have become dangerous when they skid off the roadway or strike another vehicle.
The National Weather Service transmits winter weather advisories when snow accumulations of between 1 and 3 inches are expected, and they issued two such warnings to residents in one part of Massachusetts on Jan. 4 advising motorists to expect reduced visibility and slippery road surfaces. However, police in the town of Marshfield reported that officers were subsequently called to the scene of 17 motor vehicle accidents within a period of less than two hours.
Driving too fast or too close to the vehicle ahead during the winter months can lead to chain-reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles. People who are injured in such an accidents may want to have their personal injury attorneys initiate lawsuits on their behalf against the negligent drivers who were responsible.
