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Alaska Winter Driving Hazards
How do Alaskans reduce Alaska winter driving hazards? While winter driving hazards are a reality in many U.S. states, Alaskan drivers face more winter driving hazards than most. Winter driving conditions, which include freezing rain, snow and ice all stay present in Alaska year-round. Depending on the conditions and where you’re headed, these winter driving hazards could affect you on any drive.
Why is winter driving more dangerous?
- On clear sunny days, the low angle of the sun can affect visibility. It’s imperative to ensure that windscreens are kept clean in winter, especially during wet weather conditions leading to mud and water on the roads.
- Ice and snow cause obvious problems, affecting our ability to steer and brake as needed. It can take 10 times longer to stop when braking in ice and snow.
- Decreased visibility: our ability to judge distance decreases, and our eyes take time to adjust from bright lights to darker roads. This is particularly an issue for older drivers, whose eyes take longer to adjust. Between the ages of 15 and 65, the speed at which our eyes are able to adjust from light to dark conditions increases from 1 second to 9 seconds.
- It’s more difficult to see other road users in the dark months. Pedestrians are often not aware of this, meaning that they behave in a manner that puts them more at risk.
- Young drivers can be particularly vulnerable due to a lack of experience of driving in the dark.
The good news is that you can prepare for winter conditions. Knowing what to do to prepare your vehicle and yourself for snow, ice and sleet can help you prevent accidents and injuries.
What should you do before you drive in hazardous winter conditions?
Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance
Get your vehicle inspected regularly and perform regular maintenance. Your tires should have at least 2/32″ of tread remaining. If the tread measures 2/32″, it’s time to replace them. Poor tread leads to slipping and skidding, which is not what you want in winter-weather conditions.
Take a winter driving course to reduce winter driving hazards
Knowing what your vehicle can and cannot do, along with what you are capable of when driving, helps you make better decisions about when you should drive and when it’s better to stay home. Learn to handle your vehicle on ice and in the snow, so you stay in control. Regardless of how safely we drive ourselves, we can’t assume other drivers will do the same. It’s important to control the things that we can control.
Plan more time for the drive
Finally, set aside more time to drive. If you have to be somewhere and it normally takes you a half-hour, plan for an hour in poor weather conditions to reduce Alaska winter driving hazards. Being able to slow down and take your time helps prevent crashes.
These are just a few tips to help you stay safe out there. Slow down, prepare your vehicle, and you’ll be safer.
Johnson & Associates has been helping injured Alaskans for nearly 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do.
Contact Johnson & Associates: (907)277-3090 or use our online contact form.
Secondary Material Source: MiMsafe, “The dangers of winter driving“
Image Source: Alaska Car Transport