Winter driving is no joke in general. Everyone needs to slow down and be sure to take the proper winter driving precautions, but if you drive a rideshare, your point-to-point driving makes you more vulnerable to getting in an accident than if you were simply driving to and from work. Add to this the dangers of driving in winter – not just snow, but colder months – and you have a situation that will quickly tell you if you’re an attentive enough driver or not. Here are some times for keeping yourself and your riders safe during the winter.
If you drive somewhere where snow is common during the winter, fewer drivers on the road can mean good and bad things. Of course, if the conditions are too dangerous to drive, don’t chance it just for a few bucks. If the conditions are such that other people are choosing you instead of driving themselves, then you have the possibility of a little extra cash. Fewer drivers does mean the snow may be piled up higher and more of a danger, so be sure to keep scrapers and other winter basics and emergency supplies in your trunk, including extra fluids for your car and a shovel and kitty litter in your trunk for getting unstuck from snow.
This is true year-round, but you should make sure to be extra careful not to rush if there’s a chance of hitting snow and/or ice and skidding out and possibly ending up in a ditch. If you have to be slow, be slow. Getting to your rider’s destination period is more important than getting there on time.
You should always be aware of the safest roads in your area, in case the snow and ice maintenance is better on some roads than others. Of course, you
want your riders to feel safe, as well, so be sure to communicate with them clearly if there’s a change in the route – make it clear to them that this is a proper, safe route to their destination so that they can feel comfortable in their ride with you.
Along with driving slowly, making sure you’re further away from other cars than normal is critical to avoid hitting another car, since winter weather is going to make it slower and harder to brake on time. You should make sure you know your own car well, and if you know you aren’t a great winter driver, you should avoid taking fares until you’re more skilled at it. Also, if you’re driving with Lyft, Uber, or both, you should know their safety standards in addition to your own personal ones.
Your emergency kit should contain provisions like food and water in case of the worst possible winter emergency, but you should also make sure your car has been properly maintained to avoid accidents or breakdowns in the winter. If you need snow tires or chains, make sure they are installed and maintained before heading out.
blogs
Motorcycle Safety Tips for Cold Weather
Driving any vehicle in cold weather and especially snow is going to make for a much more difficult time than driving in dry, comfortable weather. With enough preparation and all of the right gear, it is possible to mitigate many of these problems, but without them, you run the risk of a deadly accident. Before […]
How Dangerous are Ride Shares?
Everyone with a smartphone now has access to the next generation of personalized, private transportation. It used to be a matter of calling and reserving a cab or, in some places, hailing one from the side of the road. Since ridesharing is a new phenomenon, however, all of the kinks are still being worked out, […]
What to Know About Arizona’s Lemon Law
Like many other states, Arizona has a Lemon Law in place to help protect consumers who buy faulty vehicles from being stuck with them with no recourse. Arizona’s lemon law, though, is a little different from other states, with certain restrictions in place that are specific to Arizona. Here are a few basic guidelines to […]
Who is Liable if an Airbag Fails to Deploy During a Car Accident?
An airbag is an automobile device designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision. The airbag prevents a person from hitting their face on the dashboard or steering wheel. They’re customarily hidden but inflate instantly when a crash begins. When Are Airbags Supposed to Deploy? As soon as the Airbags work by inflating vehicle starts […]
Car Specific Repair Issues: When to Invoke California’s Lemon Laws and How RS Laws Can Help
Car specific problems are the leading cause of recalls by most automakers and dealers globally. Last year, for instance, over 20,000 units of Volkswagen Golf MK.8 were recalled because of a software bug. Earlier this year, Volvo stated that they were planning to issue a recall for some of their cars. How do such car […]
California Lemon Laws: How Exactly Do They Work?
Buying a car in California, whether brand new or slightly used is always an exciting experience. Even if you already have a few in your garage, the thought of painting the town red in a new ride is nothing but thrilling. So, it can be incredibly disappointing if your new or used car keeps on […]
Do Lemon Laws Apply in Auto Dealer Frauds
You’ve recently bought your dream car but can’t shake off the feeling that you just got swindled. Despite the dealer marketing it as a brand new vehicle, it has been exhibiting major defects you hardly expected. Many buyers fall prey to auto dealer frauds which can be costly especially if you’re financing a loan to […]
Winter Slip and Fall Accident Tips
Whether your winter is cold and snowy or just plain cold, winter is a time when slipand fall accidents are increasingly likely. Cold, wind, ice and snow are problems on their own and when they combine, it’s a perfect storm of injury possibilities. Typically, these conditions result in bruises and bumps, but there’s always the […]
Introducing MADD
As it says on their website, “the mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking.” And these mothers and their supporters work tirelessly to improve policy and law-making, and they are a force to be reckoned […]
Five Tips for Summer Road Trip Safety
Summer time means warmer weather, and that means road trip time. Whether you’re heading down the street or across the country, there’s always a potential obstacle waiting for you. There’s no reason not to put together a safety checklist, and practice safe driving habits before everything gets crazy. For proper road safety, you’ll want to […]
contact form
