How to Safely Drive in Snow

As the winter season approaches, it’s always important to keep safe driving in mind. When we think of winter, we think of snow. Driving in the snow has its own set of safety rules. At Freedom Collision Center, we’ve put together a list of safe driving tips to help you prevent a collision on the road this winter.

Drive slowly and take your time.

In winter weather conditions, there is no reason to hurry. Be sure to adjust your speed down to account for the lower traction caused by driving on ice or snow.

Try to avoid going out.

If the trip is not necessary, try to stay home. Even if you are a great driver in the snow, it is best not to risk an accident unless it is necessary.

Accelerate and decelerate your vehicle slowly.

To regain traction and avoid skidding, you will want to apply the gas slowly. You also want to give yourself time to slow down to a stop sign or stoplight rather than having to slam on the brakes, which can lead to sliding.

Keep moving when going uphill.

It can be very difficult to get up a snowy or icy hill. Your best course of action is to get your inertia going on a flat roadway before you try to get up the hill. Another important tip is that you should not stop once you’re going up the hill; this can cause you to lose traction.

Put more space between you and the car ahead.

You should increase your following distance for up to five or six seconds. This will provide you with more space between you and the other vehicle in case you need to stop.

Experience a Winter Car Collision? We Can Help!

At Freedom Collision, we understand that accidents can happen to even the safest drivers. At our auto body shop in Morgantown, our experienced team will treat your car like their own and have it looking good as new! Contact us today to learn more!


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With the autumn season upon us, it means that many deer will be finding their way onto highways. Colliding with a deer can cause severe collision damage, so it is important to take defensive driving measures to reduce your collision risks. Deer season in West Virginia will generally run from October through December, with a dramatic increase in deer population movement. While the frequency of deer-related accidents is on the decline, these accidents are more severe due to the advanced technologies use in modern vehicles that need to be repaired after a collision . In West Virginia in 2018, drivers had a 1 in 46 chance of hitting a deer . Many deer collisions involve front-end damage which can elevate repair costs when you must replace the bumpers, front headlamps, windshield, and advanced safety technology located in this area. Tips for Driving Defensively to Prevent Collisions with Deer At Freedom Collision Center, we have compiled the top tips we have for helping you drive defensively to prevent collisions with deer . These tips include: Pay attention- While this may seem to be a no-brainer, it is important to pay attention and stay alert while driving. Being alert will help you notice deer crossing signs and will also allow you to react quickly if you see a deer. Be careful from dusk to dawn- Deer are more active during these hours, so it is important to be extra careful while driving during these times. Reduce speed- If you see a deer or other wildlife on the side of the road, be sure to slow down to avoid hitting them. They move in an unpredictable manner, so caution is key. Avoid swerving- While your first reaction to a deer coming into the path of your car is to swerve, you should brake. Swerving can lead to you losing control of the vehicle or hitting another car or object. Be sure to brake quickly and safely. If there is one, there is more. – This is the general rule of thumb when seeing a deer. Since they travel together, if you see one deer crossing the road, you’re likely to see more following behind. Be sure to stay alert and allow for the rest of the group to cross. We can’t control wildlife and when they venture onto the road, but we can control how we react. Follow these tips for a safer drive during deer season in West Virginia. Collision Repair Services Unfortunately, even with the right preventative measures, you may still end up colliding with a deer this season . If you need collision repair , the expert technicians at Freedom Collision Center are highly trained and equipped with top of line tools to get the job done! Contact us today to learn more!