Winters are divisive in Michigan. Some cherish the holiday season and deeply appreciate the downtime spent with family and friends. Others are affected by seasonal affective disorder and dread the cold, short days.
Love it or hate it, winter is a yearly constant for Michiganders. And while our winters seem undeniably milder than years past, driving still becomes considerably riskier when temperatures begin to drop.
In this blog we’ll examine some of the most dangerous driving scenarios you’ll encounter around Michigan this winter and leave you with some tips so you’re best prepared.
The Most Dangerous Winter Driving Situations
Although summer is statistically the most dangerous time to drive in Michigan, winter is not without its fair share of driving hazards.
Treacherous road conditions, inexperienced drivers, and decreased visibility can all contribute to horrific crashes during the cold winter months. For your safety, here’s an overview of the most problematic winter driving scenarios:
Black Ice on Bridges & Ramps
Bridges freeze faster than regular pavement.
Exposed to cold air both above and below, bridges are often the first parts of roadways to freeze. This includes entrance and exit ramps, highway overpasses, and passages over water – if it’s raised above ground, it’s going to freeze fast!
The dangerous part is that while a bridge may be frozen solid, the road leading up to it could seem completely fine. An unassuming driver travelling at normal speed runs the risk of hitting an icy bridge, completely losing traction, and having almost no time to react.
As a rule of thumb, it’s always smart to ease off the gas and approach bridges slowly as temperatures begin to fall. Even a thin layer of black ice can send you flying into a wreck, especially on fast-moving roads like I-75, I-94, or I-696.
Freeze-Thaw Refreezing
Keeping with the theme of icy road surfaces, Michigan’s notorious freeze-thaw cycle contributes to some of the gnarliest winter accidents.
Temperatures often fluctuate above and below freezing during our unpredictable winter season. This fluctuation paired with snowfall can be deadly.
When a blanket of snow melts away due to warm mid-day temperatures, a thin layer of water is left behind. Overnight, this thin layer of water can freeze and create some of the most formidable road conditions come early morning.
Roads may appear wet, but don’t let their appearance fool you. If it’s below 32 degrees, there’s a very high likelihood that a wet road is also a frozen one.
Just like with bridges, hitting an icy stretch of road can quickly lead to horrific accidents if you aren’t careful. It’s crucially important to understand the freeze-thaw cycle that our roads undergo and to drive cautiously any time temps drop below freezing.
Sudden Whiteouts
Shifting the focus away from road surface conditions, visibility is another major concern for winter driving.
Driving with clear vision is essential for safety. It’s why visually impaired people are required to wear corrective lenses and sunglasses are recommended for all drivers. It’s just common sense: when you can’t see behind the wheel, chaos is quick to ensue.
A whiteout is a sudden loss of visibility due to snowfall or blowing snow. They are unpredictable and can quickly cause otherwise perfect roads to become almost undrivable. Part of what makes them unpredictable is how they’re caused. While many whiteouts happen as a result of active precipitation, they often occur in completely clear conditions, when wind blows fallen snow back up into the air.
This mercurial driving hazard can strike anywhere, but is especially dangerous on highways where vision loss can cause horrific pile-up accidents. If you expect heavy snow or violent wind, lower-speed roads can sometimes be a safer option than high-speed alternatives.
If you find yourself in the midst of an unexpected whiteout surge, the key is to stay calm, slow down gradually, and remain predictable. Stopping in the middle of the road is extremely dangerous, but carefully pulling off into a safe area (such as a parking lot or far onto the shoulder) and waiting for visibility to improve is often the best move.
Salt Spray and Dirty Windshields
On the topic of visibility, salt-sprayed windshields are another A-list Michigan winter driving hazard.
Salt-spray is a combination of salt, slush, and dirty road water. If you’ve lived in Michigan for any period of time during the winter, then you are unfortunately all too familiar with this diabolical solution.
From sneakers to coats to under your nails, salt has a way of getting ingrained absolutely everywhere in the wintertime. Your car is no exception. Constant trips to the car wash are a bothersome cold-weather reality for many Michigan car owners.
This pesky fluid graduates from annoyance to danger when it starts to coat your windshield. Salt-spray can temporarily blind drivers when it builds up on windshields and rear windows. The problem is particularly prevalent on highways where the spray from a passing semi or box truck can blind you in a matter of seconds.
The best way to mitigate the dangers of salt-spray is to keep an eye on your windshield washer fluid levels. Winter-rated de-icer blends are your first line of defense against this very real visibility hazard.
Potholes & Hidden Road Hazards
It goes without saying, potholes are always a problem in Michigan. And that’s when they’re not hidden by snow, slush, and ice!
Potholes are a direct byproduct of Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycle. When melted water gets trapped beneath the surface of paved roadways, it inevitably freezes when temperatures drop. That frozen water expands (compared to its liquid state) and crumbles the road’s surface over time. These pavement blemishes are a major nuisance, often causing violent impacts that damage tires, rims, and suspension.
While potholes are already a major hazard for Michigan drivers, the danger they pose is compounded when they’re camouflaged by snow, slush, and ice. Paired with these conditions, potholes are like landmines waiting to ruin your day.
Although it’s impossible to prepare for every pothole impact, maintaining properly inflated tires and keeping a controlled, steady grip on the wheel can help drivers stay grounded if they hit one unexpectedly.
Get David Get Paid
If one of these hazards catches you off-guard this winter, there’s only one personal injury firm you need to call – that’s Femminineo Law.
At Femminineo Law, we’ve dealt with Michigan winters for over 30 years. We know how brutal they can be on drivers and have seen all of the complications that can arise as a result of questionable road conditions.
Don’t settle with some other attorney. Don’t face the stress and uncertainty of dealing with your insurance alone. Get David and experience the Femminineo Law difference today.
Give us a call at 855-65-CRASH or visit our website at getdavidgetpaid.com.
Get David. Get Paid.
