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Biggest Causes for Winter Car Accidents

The winter season in Morgantown is filled with chilly temperatures, snowfall, and ice. All of these factors can make the roads dangerous and increase your risk of an accident.

At Freedom Collision Center, we have put together some tips for staying safe on the road this winter season.

What Causes Winter Car Accidents?

Lack of Visibility

Snowfall is beautiful to watch, but out on the road, it can reduce your visibility while driving. Intense snowfall and fog can cause whiteout conditions that can make driving dangerous, especially when combined with slick road conditions.

Icy Roads

Even if you have prepared your vehicle for the winter, it can still be difficult to control when it comes to driving on icy roads. While the right tires, brakes, and your modern traction control system are all designed to help prevent a crash, they are sometimes no match for icy roads.

Poorly Maintained Vehicles

If your vehicle is poorly maintained, it can put you at risk for an accident on a regular day, but especially during the harsh winter road conditions. Whether you have bald tires, bad brakes, or inefficient defrosters, these factors can make your vehicle dangerous to operate in the winter season.

How Can I Stay Safe While Driving in the Winter?

When driving in wintery conditions, it is crucial to take extra caution and make adjustments to your driving habits for safer travels. Here are some tips for staying safe on the road this winter:

• Inspect your vehicle for bald tires, worn-out breaks, poor quality defrosters, etc. Resolve these issues and winterize your vehicle before the snow begins to fall.
• Prepare an emergency kit to keep in the trunk with an extra blanket, gloves, water, granola bar, a small shovel, small tool kit, flashlight, first aid kit, etc. This will come in handy if you become stranded in bad weather.
• Keep your gas tank full to prevent you from becoming stranded and to help you prevent the fuel line from freezing.
• Keep a windshield scraper/brush combo handy, so you can remove ice and snow from your vehicle.
• Keep your cell phone charged in case you need to make calls in an emergency.
• Before driving in bad weather, inform someone you know where you will be going, the route you are taking, and when you plan to arrive at your destination.

Winter Collision Repair Services

If you end up in a collision this winter due to icy roads or reduced visibility, rest assured that Freedom Collision has the experienced team and tools to get your car back out on the road in no time! Our auto body shop serves Morgantown with the latest techniques and technology to have your vehicle looking like new after a collision! Contact us today to learn more!