Transportation officials across Georgia have been busy over the past few weeks as winter weather continues to create additional dangers for motorists.Over the past few weeks, icy weather conditions have been reported across several counties in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and its 1,500+ employees have been closely monitoring the weather as temperatures dip, and roads freeze.Our Atlanta vehicle accident attorneys have also been reminding people to stay safe on the slippery roads.
Transportation officials have already blamed icy weather for some accidents on Georgia highways this winter.None of these accidents resulted in fatalities, but they did lead to injuries and roads being shut down.Most of the accidents are being blamed on automobiles that hit a patch of ice, or vehicles that went out of control on roads made slippery by melting ice.
GDOT has increased travel warnings for Georgia motorists.Drivers are being asked to be very cautious while on the road, and to watch out for ice patches on interstate ramps and before and after bridges.
It’s obviously best to avoid driving at all when conditions are likely to cause ice.However, if you are driving and the road becomes slippery, slow down.GDOT has also announced that it will be trying out some new strategies to reduce the risk to motorists from slippery roads, and to make the roads safer.For instance, officials have confirmed that they will be experimenting with a salt-brine mixture.The belief is that this mixture will prevent ice from bonding to the roadways.They have also built 11 new staging areas that will house salt and stone along Georgia’s major interstates.
The risk of accidents is likely to continue through February and into March as the cold weather persists in and around Atlanta and North Georgia.The most sensible thing that you can do as a motorist is to drive very cautiously.Drive at safe speeds, and avoid driving at above the posted speed limits.
Also, make certain your vehicle is primed for driving in rough weather.Icy roads provide perfect conditions for a rollover accident.So it goes without saying that your tires must have plenty of tread and be properly inflated.
Avoid following too closely.Increase the amount of distance you normally would allow for safe stopping.Also, winter driving demands 100% concentration.Switch off your cell phone while you’re driving.And most importantly, make sure that you and all passengers are safely buckled in while the car is moving.