At Ringstad Law Office, P.C., we’re committed to helping you and your family stay safe on the road.

In the winter, snow and ice make driving difficult. Fairbanks and Interior Alaska, in particular, have some of the coldest temperatures on record. If you’re a long-term Fairbanks resident, you’re likely already accustomed to driving under these conditions. Even so, it’s important to take extra caution this winter.

Interior Alaska is seeing especially hazardous driving conditions this season. In late October and mid-November, Fairbanks experienced an unseasonably late rainfall, which created icy and treacherous road conditions. The News Miner reported that drivers should look out for black ice. Be wary of driving over bridges and overpasses as well as on shaded sections of road.

Unfortunately, black ice can be very difficult to recognize, and you may not see the danger until it’s too late.

So what should you do if you hit a patch of black ice? An article from How Stuff Works gives a good overview of what you should do in this potentially deadly situation.

If you feel your car sliding on the ice, take your foot off of the gas pedal. Don’t make any drastic course corrections or slam on your brakes. Instead, gently steer in the direction that you want to go and press the gas pedal once you have traction. If you try to brake suddenly or turn sharply, you risk spinning out of control.

If you are stuck on ice or snow, don’t floor it. Instead, put sand, cat litter, cardboard, or floor mats underneath your wheels, and then accelerate slowly. Adding traction underneath your tires makes it more likely that you will be able to get out.

By taking these steps and driving more cautiously during the winter months, you can lower your risk of an accident and injuries.

If you do find yourself injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of another driver, report the accident to the police. Then, seek medical attention and contact an experienced personal injury attorney to learn what your options are.