As we have talked about in the past on this blog, winter weather is upon us and can be a challenge for Michigan drivers. The pervasive chill can make vehicles stall, black ice on roadways could turn them into proverbial skating rinks, and freshly fallen snow being blown by the wind will significantly affect visibility.
All these factors can make potentially injury-causing car accidents more likely in the wintertime. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report that between 11 and 17 percent of all auto and truck accidents are directly related to winter road or weather conditions during this time of the year in “colder” areas of the country like Michigan.
Ice in particular is a serious risk to drivers. It affects visibility, pavement friction, and traffic speed. Another challenge is that it increases both travel time and the risk of accidents. Every year, there are around 1.2 million cars, truck, and motorcycle accidents attributed to weather, according to the Federal Highway Administration. These accidents cause around 6,000 deaths and 445,000 injuries, the FHA has reported.
While rain is more dangerous according to the national statistics than winter weather, 13 percent of accidents still occur on icy roads, accounting for two percent of injuries and two percent of deaths. So, ice remains a major issue for Michigan drivers.
Here are some other winter driving statistics that have been published over the last two years by various agencies.
- About 17% of car accidents occur in snowy conditions (Federal Highway Administration).
- Over 1,800 people die per year due to driving in snowy and icy conditions (Federal Highway Administration).
- 156,164 auto crashes occur annually due to icy roads, federal data shows (Federal Highway Administration).
- Driving on snowy roads can take your car 10 times longer to stop completely (Automotive Association of America).
- 70% of roads in the United States are in snowy areas, which increases the threat of an accident significantly (Federal Highway Administration).
Regardless of the impact snow and ice have on Michigan drivers, the team at Bashore Green Law Firm is here to help any individual or family who has recently been involved in an auto accident. Many of our clients are located throughout Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties. Contact us today to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.