3 min read
“I pray this winter be gentle and kind,” wrote John Geddes. Going by past trends, however, it seems we need stronger prayers. Why? Because between November and March, the number of accidents is reported to rise by 7.45% nationally*.
Moreover, in the 2017 and 2018 winter period, the number of excess winter deaths reached an estimated 50, 100**. Contrary to Geddes’ prayers, the upcoming months are not predicted to be gentle and kind. For insurance companies, these translate into high repair costs***.
In last week’s blog, we shed light on the top reasons why this statistic exists. We looked at the top 4 reasons why the number of accidents increases in winters and also cursorily mentioned what you can do to avoid them.
In this week’s blog, we dive deep into the precautionary measures you can observe to drive safely and return home happily to your family.
7 tips to prevent accidents during winters
Make sure your vehicle is maintained
The first step to vehicle preparation and maintenance for winters is to change the tyres. The hard summer tyres are not ideal for slippery roads. So, replace them with soft ones which have more traction in the snow and ice. Ensure that the minimum tread depth is 1.6mm.
Carry visibility gear
Visibility is a major issue in the winters due to rain, sleet, hail, blizzard, and fog. To protect yourself against it, double-check your headlights so you face no issues on the way- especially if you’re travelling at night. Wear sunglasses at night to avoid glare. Also, carry extra clothes and scrapers.
Use dipped headlights during the day as well
Especially if you are driving on foggy roads or roads with heavy rains or snow. They are to be used at night, too, because they provide better visibility than the sidelights. They also enable other drivers to see you, thus, keeping both of you safe.
Check the antifreeze levels of your car
Antifreeze is crucial to the proper functioning of a car in the colder months. During winters, frozen cooling systems are susceptible which can lead to the breakdown of the vehicle. Antifreeze is used since the liquid lowers the water’s freezing point. This reduces the possibility of the cooling system freezing over.
Apart from this, antifreeze can protect the engine from corrosion, prevent the building up of scales, help heat transfer, and avoid the engine coolant from overheating by raising the boiling point.
Don’t amp up the heat too much
This is a big no-no when you get into your car for the first time in the morning (or whenever) after it’s been out in the cold all night. This is because the sudden rise in heat can expand the windshield glass. Increased pressure can lead to chips and cracks as well which might lead to the glass breaking down ultimately. Use a de-icer or scraper in the morning to properly and safely clear the ice from the car in the morning.
Another time to not amp up the heat too much is while driving. A very warm environment can lead to drowsiness which can be especially fatal at night.
Keep enough distance between vehicles
Keep a two-car length stopping distance between your car and the one in front of you. Not only does this keep you safe from tyre spray, but it also allows for more braking time. This can mean the difference between staying safe and being hurt in an accident.
Use the highest gear
This tip is useful if your car gets stuck in the snow. Move your car forward and backward on the highest gear possible.
By following the above tips, people can significantly reduce the number of accidents. Insurance companies can play a major role in the transmission of this knowledge because as the number of accidents increases, the number of claims does, too. By educating the masses, companies can decrease this number.
But how to educate the whole portfolio of a company or even a significant segment at once? Spixii solutions offer the ability to reach out to customers before their claims, and educate them with tips to prevent and reduce their risk.
We explain how this plays out in greater detail in the next week’s blog. So, sign up for our weekly newsletter or follow us on LinkedIn to be the first to know when it rolls out! If you want more information right now, please reach out Spixii bot.