As any Kansas City injury lawyer will tell you, driving in winter is a much greater challenge than driving at any other time of the year. That has been plain to see this winter season as icy weather combined with misty rain created hazardous driving conditions, and contributed to dozens of accidents on Missouri highways.
According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, there were several accidents attributed to poor weather conditions over the past week. That included several multi-vehicle accidents that resulted in minor to moderate injuries. The weather was so bad, the National Weather Service was forced to issue a winter weather advisory in effect until December 15th. According to the advisory, light precipitation contributed to the development of a thin film of ice on the roads, making these roads extremely slippery and treacherous.
We can expect the weather to stay the same, or get even worse as winter progresses. Accident risks are greater at this time of the year. There are more drivers on the road during the holiday season. Plenty of cars jostle for space on roads that are made even more slippery by a thin film of ice. These are conditions that increase the possibility of an accident.
As a highway safety attorney, I would advise motorists to drive extra careful this winter. If the weather becomes too poor to travel in, only venture out if it is an emergency. Avoid nonessential travel. If you are forced to travel, lower speeds, and maintain plenty of space between your vehicle and the car in front of you. In order to avoid speeding, start early with plenty of time to reach your destination.
Also, make sure to keep your car in good repair and pack emergency supplies. The best advice is to slow down, be patient, and keep a safe following distance.
