Maine Car Insurance

How Winter Weather Affects Drivers’ Safety in Maine

When the weather starts to change, Maine can see freezing rain, fog, icy roads, and eventually several feet of snow throughout the season. Understanding the potential for accidents can help ensure appropriate safety measures are taken during this dangerous time of the year.

Road Conditions and Accidents:

The road conditions are often the major factor involved in winter accidents throughout Maine. Bangor Daily News reports that the first snowfall of the year is particularly dangerous to the drivers in Maine because they have a rash of accidents and statistically the number of accidents is higher than those throughout the rest of the year, even later in the winter.

The icy roads combined with the higher speed drivers are used to during the summer months contributes to the number of crashes. Since the number of accidents gradually declines throughout the season, it is suspected that the speed is one of the major contributing factors. It is hard to stop the vehicle if high speeds are attained on the roads and the car hits ice.

Other Weather Conditions:

Accidents are not only the result of icy roads and high speed in Maine. The winter season also means more limited visibility that makes it harder to avoid other vehicles, trees or even the side railing on the roads.

Snowfall and fog are the major weather problems that relate to visibility. Maine residents are often warned to take extra precautions during the winter months that include driving slower and keeping a larger distance between vehicles while on the road. During the first month of the winter season, collisions are more common as drivers forget to keep further distance to account for low visibility and then they gradually reduce throughout the winter months and into spring.

Insurance in Winter:

Maine drivers are among the most likely to have insurance in case of an accident. According to Insurance Journal, only 4% of Maine drivers are uninsured. The state has the lowest rate of uninsured drivers of any state in the country. This helps provide peace of mind that if an accident occurs during those harsh winter conditions, the other driver is likely to have insurance.

Though the other driver is likely to have insurance due to the lower rate of uninsured drivers throughout the state, the type of insurance and the damaged paid will depend on the situation and the accident that occurs.

Carrying Extra Insurance:

Those who are worried about winter accidents in Maine — and the chances of the other driver not having enough insurance to manage the costs of the situation if they do not cause the accident — might consider adding extras to the basic policy. Carrying extra insurance is not always necessary in Maine due to the higher rate of insured drivers, but it can give peace of mind that coverage is available if an accident occurs.

Maine drivers face challenges during the winter when it relates to driving and poor weather conditions. Fortunately, it also has the lowest rate of uninsured drivers on the road so accidents are usually managed with insurance even during those early winter months when they occur more often.