Athough it seems that we just made it through the recent snowstorm, we are currently in the middle of another winter-mix storm. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDot), Missouri Highway and Traffic Commission (MHTC), and the Missouri State Highway Patrol continue to urge Missouri residents to stay off of the roadways if at all possible to avoid serious auto accidents/car crashes.

KSDK has placed a winter safety checklist on their website for residents to get informed. In addition to ensuring your refridgerator is full and that you have burning logs in the event of a power outage, it is also important to protect yourself on the road. As a St. Louis, Missouri car accident attorney, I am concerned that those residents affected by this recent ice/hail/snow storm may focus too much on preparing the home and not protecting themselves from travel. The traffic authorities are advising us to not travel. However, if travel is necessary, it is imperitive that you follow some simple safety precautions:
1. Always drive with a full tank of gas;
2. Keep a safety kit including a warm clothing in the car;
3. Only drive a vehicle that has been properly maintained;
4. Drive extra carefully on bridges and overpasses as those tend to freeze quickly;
5. ALWAYS DRIVE DEFENSIVELY.
#5 is very important and often overlooked. Tractor-trailers will most likely continue to drive through these winder weather conditions as they are typically only paid if deliveries are made. Those large semi-trucks have a hard enough time attempting to stop on dry pavement, let alone pavement covered in ice. This can lead to car crashes with big tractor trailers. It is crucial that if you are driving on the slick roadways (from ice or snow), that you are aware of your surroundings. It is quite possible that a car around you may slide or spin on the roadway.