Proper Preparation for Winter Driving in Michigan

The snow and extreme cold are already here. Having your car break down on the side of the highway or, worse yet, getting into a crash on a cold Michigan winter day is more than just inconvenient. Weather and traffic can threaten life and limb and make it difficult for rescue crews to get to the scene. 

These kinds of circumstances can avoided largely by preparing adequately for driving conditions ahead of time. Proper maintenance of a vehicle and equipping it with the right supplies can help prevent break-downs and keep accident-causing situations, like running out of wiper fluid or failing to brake properly, from arising.

How to Prepare for Winter Driving in Michigan

Keep Your Vehicle Properly Maintained
Before the winter driving season begins, get a tune up and an oil change. It's also a good idea to have your mechanic check your brakes, steering, and battery condition. Mechanical failures are a leading cause of roadside break-downs and most can be prevented by taking these simple measures.

Additionally, drivers should regularly check the oil, radiator fluid and windshield wiper fluid levels and top them up if needed. Running out of wiper fluid when surrounding vehicles are throwing up slush on your windshield can be disastrous and engine failure can leave you stranded on the road side. Also be sure to keep your tires inflated properly and replace any tires with worn treads to ensure the best traction possible if roads turn bad. If you own snow tires, put them on early in the season.

Keep Your Vehicle Properly Supplied
Whether you get snowed in at the motel, can't get the engine to start after doing Christmas shopping or end up sliding into a ditch, getting your vehicle going again or getting the help you need goes faster if you have the right equipment on hand. Keeping the following items in your vehicle will minimize the hassle of unfortunate events:

• Flashlight
• Signal flares or signal light
• Cell phone or CB radio to call for help, if needed
• Shovel
• Jumper cables
• Tow rope
• Tire chains (only for getting unstuck, don't drive with them on)
• Emergency blanket
• Extra washer fluid
• Extra radiator fluid
• Bag of salt or ice melt
• First aid kit
• Reflective hazard sign to place on roadway and warn other drivers

Before Each Drive
During the winter months, before heading out on any drive, every Michigan driver should take certain steps to make sure they and their car are as ready and prepared as possible. The first step is to plan to leave so that you have plenty of time to get where you're going even if you have to drive extra slow.

Start prepping for your departure well ahead of your actual planned time for leaving. Check the weather report. You may need to wait for snow plows to clear the road, delay until the we or cancel your plans altogether. If your vehicle is parked outdoors, give yourself plenty of time to clear the windshield and warm up the engine. Don't attempt to clear your windshield of ice or snow by running your wipers. Doing so can burn out the electric motors that drive your wipers, and they'll be useless while driving.

When Winter Accidents Do Occur on Michigan Roadways

Unfortunately, sometimes all the preparation in the world isn't enough. Other drivers' carelessness, distractions and other factors can lead to accidents and injuries. Even a roadside breakdown can become disastrous if other drivers fail to navigate around the stalled vehicle correctly. If this happens to you in Michigan, you are entitled to Michigan no-fault insurance benefits and possibly recovery of other damages as well. At Sachs Waldman, our Michigan auto accident attorneys have extensive experience making sure winter accident injury victims are properly compensated for their injuries. If you or a loved on has been injured in a Michigan auto accident, call our Detroit personal injury firm for a free consultation: 1-800-638-6722.