Tennessee Braces for Huge Winter Storm
Most of Tennessee and part of Kentucky is bracing for a massive winter storm expected to arrive within the next 24 to 48 hours. The storm is expected to dump up to a foot of snow in some locations and is also supposed to produce sleet and freezing rain. All three of these wintry forms of precipitation can make the roadways dangerous to navigate. However, simply staying home may not be an option for many Tennesseans, so some will simply have to brave the conditions to get where they need to go. The biggest danger in such situations is icy roads, but snow can also be a problem, especially when it falls in large amounts. There are several snow-related concerns of which Tennesseans should be aware before embarking in such conditions.
The most obvious safe-driving tip in snowy and icy conditions is to drive at a reduced rate of speed. Driving too fast in adverse conditions is a recipe for disaster, and in conditions such as those expected over the weekend, driving at the posted speed limit is often far too fast for the road conditions and can be considered negligent driving. Driving too fast also puts the driver at the risk of having to come to a sudden stop or slam on the brakes. Such maneuvers are unadvisable in wintry conditions, and can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Another overlooked but important concern is making sure that all of the windows and mirrors are free from ice and snow before driving. Snow can obviously obstruct one’s vision, which may lead to an auto accident if the obstruction is not fixed quickly.
Drivers who are forced to brave such weather conditions have a duty in Tennessee to drive appropriately. Adverse weather conditions can turn normal driving activities like driving 44 miles per hour in a 45 mile per hour zone into negligent driving if the driver was traveling too fast for the road conditions. Thus, victims who are hurt in an auto accident that looks to be weather-related may have a great shot at recovering damages in a personal injury suit even if the accident was caused by what would normally be considered reasonable driving behavior.
