3 driving tips for Spring Safety
Winter is over in Ontario, which means the most dangerous driving season of the year is behind us. However, as every personal injury lawyer knows, spring presents its own safety challenges. Today, we’ll review some safety tips to prepare you for the warmer months ahead.
More activity
As the weather outside improves, an increasingly diverse assortment of road users will join the daily commute. Car and truck drivers must readapt to sharing the road with vulnerable vehicles, including motorcycles and bicycles.
Drivers must also be aware that children, seniors, and pedestrians of all kinds will emerge in springtime. In Toronto, pedestrian fatalities have already reached a “crisis” point this year, causing significant concern among planners, safety advocates, injury lawyers, and politicians. As the streets become busier, drivers must slow down, avoid distraction, and commit to sharing the road in a responsible, respectful manner.
Changing asphalt conditions
New potholes are a common symptom of Ontario’s harsh winters. According to Global News, road crews repaired well over 110,000 potholes between January 1 and the end of March, which puts the city on pace to far exceed the annual average of 255,855 potholes per year.
In addition to costing the City of Toronto tens of millions of dollars annually, potholes are a common cause of traffic accidents. These accidents are often minor, causing more damage to vehicles than the drivers inside them, but in some cases they can cause serious personal injuries. In these situations, a personal injury lawyer can help you make a claim against the municipality.
Pedestrians should also exercise caution during the first weeks of spring, as sidewalks and walkways can also warp, crack, and chip, resulting in hazardous walking conditions.
Different weather challenges
Though heavy snow is a relative rarity, southern Ontarian springs are defined by turbulent, unpredictable weather, including temperature fluctuations that cause freeze-thaw cycles leading to slick roads. For this reason, many road safety experts advise against removing winter tires too early in the season.
Rapid temperature changes can also cause dense fog patches, which impede visibility. Make sure your car is equipped with fog lights and avoid driving if conditions are too dangerous.
Finally, overland flooding caused by heavy rain and melting snow can create particularly risky driving conditions. If possible, it’s best to avoid areas affected by flooding altogether.
If you or a member of your family is injured in a car accident this spring, contact Will Davidson LLP’s Oakville offices to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Our team can help you understand the feasibility of your claim and guide you on your road to recovery.
Image credit: Caribb/Flickr