A Greater Risk Of Whiplash Injuries During The Winter
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A Greater Risk Of Whiplash Injuries During The Winter
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According to the trade magazine Tyres and Accessories, an estimated 48% of all car accident claims are made during the autumn and winter months. It is no coincidence that driving conditions are significantly worse at this time of year and the results are borne out in the increased number of whiplash cases. For the majority of motorists, driving is a necessity regardless of the weather conditions. What should we be aware of during the winter and how best can we ensure our own safety and that of other road users?
Under Prepared For The Weather
While the UK may not be subject to the extremes of snow and ice that other countries do, it seems that we are consistently under-prepared for any change in the weather. In the winter of 2009/2010, a number of local councils were exposed for not having stockpiled enough salt and grit to deal with the anticipated icy conditions on the nation’s roads. This forced many councils to adopt a policy of ensuring that main roads were to be prioritised for gritting, leaving smaller roads untreated. The result was a marked increase in the number of low speed collisions and consequently, whiplash injury claims.
In addition, the aftermath of the winter created further problems for motorists. Water that had seeped into road surfaces expanded due to freezing conditions. Once the snow and ice had melted, an increased number of potholes were revealed, causing further accidents.
Potential For Injury
The majority of whiplash injuries are caused by a rear impact, which forces the head, neck and spine to first follow the motion of the vehicle and then to snap back, mimicking the action of a whip. It is easy to see how icy road surfaces and poor visibility can add to the potential for rear impact collisions that even at low speeds can cause whiplash.
In parts of Europe, winter tyres are legally required during certain months. These are designed specifically to deal with icy and snowy conditions, offering greater resistance to the surface of the road and greater braking power. While these are not currently a legal requirement in the UK, the AA offers sound advice for road users during the winter. Their recommendation is that tyres should have a winter tread depth of three millimetres or more. The deeper the tread, the more control a driver has on a slippery surface. However, they are also in favour of the introduction of legislation that sees the fitting of winter tyres as mandatory.
Combating The Elements
The AA also offers other advice to combat the winter elements. They suggest that drivers add anti-freeze to their screen wash to ensure that any snow or ice can be dealt with effectively and not reduce visibility. In addition, they suggest that motorists check their brake fluid with more scrutiny during cold weather to ensure that brakes are working to their optimum efficiency.
While most motorists observe a code of sensible driving during the winter, it is an unfortunate fact that accidents do happen and that the elements can play a significant factor in their likelihood. According to the Office for National Statistics, 1200 whiplash claims are made every day in the UK – a figure that has the potential to rise if motorists underestimate the winter weather.
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